A review of literature, 2006 ( pdf - 438 KB) - ARCHI

Macedonian Women’s Health Project
Review of literature
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Introduction
Late in 2004, the Women’s Health Unit appointed a part-time project officer to work
with the Macedonian community to enhance their capacity to identify and address
heath issues for women. Local breast screening data, some published studies and
anecdotal evidence indicated that Macedonian women were less likely to access
mainstream health services such as screening and primary prevention activities and
may therefore miss out on the benefits of health promoting and early detection
programs. Meetings with community workers and representatives of the Macedonian
Australian Welfare Association confirmed an interest in working in partnership with
health and other local agencies to run the Macedonian Women’s Health Project.
Data provided by BreastScreen NSW on screening rates for Macedonian women in
the St George area of south eastern Sydney indicate they have consistently low
participation rates in breast screening compared to state averages for all women and
to other culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) groups in the area (South East
Health 2002 – 2004). In 2002 and 2003, BreastScreen NSW, Women’s Health
Nurses from the Women’s Health Unit and other members of the Breast and Cervical
Cancer Screening Recruitment Working Party in South East Health collaborated to
improve participation rates among Macedonian women in both breast and cervical
screening by running a number strategies including radio discussions, clinics and
information sessions for women at the Rockdale ‘St Petka’ Macedonian church.
Screening rates for breast cancer, however, continue to be low. BreastScreen
NSW’s figures in 2003 indicated only 40.3% of Macedonian women in the St George
area were screened compared with around 50% for most other CALD communities.
Participation rates in breast screening among all Macedonian women in New South
Wales in 2004 indicate that 47.7% of women were screened compared with around
56% for other CALD communities.
Although Macedonian women in south eastern Sydney have been consulted about
their service needs by the local Division of General Practice (St George Division of
General Practice 1997) and the St George Hospital and Community Health Service
(St George Hospital and Community Health Service 2001) and young women
included in a report on the issues affecting young people (Macedonian Welfare
Association of Sydney 1998), it does not appear that a comprehensive review of
literature with a focus on the factors influencing the health and wellbeing of
Macedonian women in south eastern Sydney has been done to date.
In addition to the overview of available literature on social, cultural, behavioural and
other factors that may influence the health and wellbeing of Macedonian women in
south eastern Sydney, this review includes some background information on
Macedonia, its turbulent history and reasons for emigration to Australia to provide a
broader understanding of the wide range of influences on the health of the
Macedonian community.
When ‘Macedonian women’ in south eastern Sydney are discussed in this document
the phrase refers to both women born in Macedonia and women born in Australia
who have Macedonian ancestry. It is also acknowledged that all Macedonian women
may not possess the same or similar views, attitudes or behaviours as those featured
in this review of literature. These differences may relate to where women where born
(country of birth and region within Macedonia), when they settled in Australia and a
range of other factors unique to each individual.
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