SOME ASPECTS OF CERVICAL SCREENING IN SOUTHERN NEW-ZEALAND - THE SITUATION BEFORE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL CERVICAL-CANCER PREVENTION PROGRAM

To gain some idea of cervical screening in Otago and Southland (two southern provinces of New Zealand), before the implementation of a national cervical cancer prevention programme, a questionnaire was sent to all doctors identified as smear takers. Questionnaires were returned by 75% of the doctors. Only 53.8% of practice nurses were involved in taking smears. Well Women Clinics staffed by nurses were not widespread in either province. Just under half (46.4%) of doctors took cervical smears as part of a health check programme. Sixty-three per cent (63.3%) routinely performed a pelvic examination when taking a smear. Surprisingly few doctors were familiar with the technique of placing spatula and cytobrush samples on one slide, a manoeuvre which could significantly reduce the workload of the cytology laboratories. Only a minority of doctors were aware of a new sampler which can provide samples equivalent to combined spatular-cytobrush smears. There was confusion over the timing of a repeat smear following two normal ones. The recommended interval of 3 years was only complied with by 44.2% of doctors. However, 71.4% of respondents did remind women to have smears. The study indicates that many doctors already provide patients with a good cervical screening service, and this augers well for the national screening programme.