Which demographic factors influence Pacific women's attendance at colposcopy clinics in New Zealand?

AIM: The aim of this study was to examine the demographic factors associated with attendance at colposcopy clinics among Pacific women following a high-grade cytology in New Zealand. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was undertaken of Pacific women following high-grade cytology between January 2010 and December 2015. Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression was undertaken to assess whether socioeconomic deprivation, age and Pacific ethnicity were associated with colposcopy attendance. RESULTS: Colposcopy attendance for Pacific women was 84.9% at 90 days and 93.5% at 180 days following referral. Pacific women residing in the most deprived areas were less likely to attend at both 90 days (OR=0.37 95% CI: 0.21-0.67) and 180 days (OR=0.19 95% CI: 0.60-0.63). Older women were more likely to attend their colposcopy appointment at 90 days when compared to the reference group aged <24-years-old. There was no association between Pacific ethnicity and attendance when adjusting for deprivation and age. CONCLUSIONS: The overall attendance rates for Pacific women were higher than expected. Despite Pacific women engaging with cervical screening, Pacific women living in the most deprived areas were less likely to be seen by colposcopy services following a high-grade cytology. Targeted interventions are required to improve service utilisation and reduce health inequities.