Participation in cardiovascular risk factor and cancer screening among Australian Chinese

This study aimed to examine the participation of Australian Chinese in cardiovascular risk factor and cancer screening. A telephone survey of a random sample of Chinese in New South Wales, Australia, was conducted. The presence of, and participation in screening for, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and diabetes were ascertained. Additionally, women were surveyed regarding breast cancer and cervical cancer screening. Five hundred and fifty-five subjects were interviewed. Generally, Australian Chinese were as likely to participate in health screening activities as the general population. However, Chinese with poor English-speaking ability were less likely to have had recent lipid testing (85.4% vs 91.2%, p=0.01) or mammography (63.2% vs 92.6%, p=0.01) than those who were proficient in English (adjusted for age and gender). Those not in employment were less likely to have had lipid testing (86.9% vs 88.4%, p=0.04), mammography (61.1% vs 93.5%, p=0.04) or Pap tests (64.7% vs 85.0%, p<0.01) than those in employment. Chinese who had been in Australia for less than 10 years were also less likely to undergo Pap tests (68.7% vs 79%, p=0.03). Overall, participation of Australian Chinese in health screening is within the community norm. However, those with poor English-speaking skills, who are not employed, or who had been resident in Australia for a shorter duration are less likely to undergo some of these health activities. Health promotion efforts need to be directed at disadvantaged subgroups of Chinese Australians.