Access to and engagement with cervical and breast screening services for women with disabilities in Aotearoa New Zealand

Purpose To describe access to and engagement with cervical and breast screening services for women who are Deaf or live with a physical or sensory disability in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ). Method We carried out an online survey on a convenience sample of 84 women. Tests of association were undertaken between socio-demographics and cervical and breast screening; and between disability type, and health outcomes and barriers to screening respectively. Participants also reported specific barriers to screening. Results Living without family/partner and unemployment were associated with never having a cervical smear. Non-English preferred language, and urban residence were related to lower levels of breast self-examination; having insufficient income was related to never having a mammogram. Disability type was not related to either smear or mammogram on eligibility, uptake ever, or uptake timeframe. A higher proportion of those with multiple disability types experienced service environment barriers to having a cervical smear. Specific barriers to screening covered accessibility, service environment, and information. Conclusions This study, unique in Aotearoa, provides insights into disabled women's access to and engagement with screening services and suggests factors that may inhibit or facilitate participation. Women with multiple disabilities may be disadvantaged in the seeking and delivery of screening.

Automated summary

This study examines the access to and engagement with cervical and breast screening services for disabled women in New Zealand. The findings suggest that being single/unemployed, preferring a non-English language, and living in urban areas are associated with lower levels of screening. Disability type does not impact eligibility or uptake, but women with multiple disabilities face more barriers in the service environment.