A Study on the Difficulty of Low Rate of Pap Smear Screening for Absentee Residents in Kinmen

• Main Authors: Gow-bin Wu, 吳國斌
• Other Authors: Ming-Jang Weng
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2012
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/29682770431142030988

碩士 === 國立高雄大學 === 高階經營管理碩士在職專班(EMBA) === 100 === Official statistics indicate that Kinmen’s population has been increasing rapidly in recent years. However, about one-half to as many as two-thirds of the registered population are actually absentee residents (or so-called phantom population). The fact that they make up such a substantial portion of Kinmen’s registered population but that they do not really abide in Kinmen has significantly affected the promotion and execution of various policies, including public health ones. One typical example is Pap Smear screening. Considering their obvious impact on Kinmen’s Pap Smear screening program, this study explored how absentee residents diminish Kinmen’s Pap Smear screening rate with a view to proposing effective measures to solve the problem. In the first stage of the research, one-to-one semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted in all Kinmen’s five township health centers on nursing staff responsible for Pap Smear screening, confirming that absentee residents are indeed the major reason why Pap Smear screening is currently so underused in Kinmen. Also, difficult access to absentee residents and the present Pap Smear screening evaluation system, which is apparently unfavorable to districts with high absentee-resident population, are the two key factors in Kinmen’s Pap Smear screening predicament. Having clarified the extent of absentee residents’ influence on Kinmen’s Pap Smear screening participation, the study proceeded to its next stage of research, attempting to come out with concrete and feasible solutions by using the Modified Delphi Method. Sixteen scholars, experts, central and local health officials, and local health workers were surveyed with a three-round feedback questionnaire, the first-round Delphi questionnaire being designed on the basis of literature review and in-depth interviews. The result identified 32 ‘best strategies to reduce absentee residents’ impact on Kinmen’s Pap Smear screening rate,’ which were then categorized under three headings (policy guidance from central health authorities, strategies by the Kinmen County government, tips for township health centers) and discussed respectively according to their order of importance. Effecting strategies involves long-term implementation and modification. Experiences at Kinmen’s five township health centers show that although one strategy may achieve results to some degree, for the 32 strategies to produce the greatest effect, central health authorities, the Kinmen County government, and local health centers need to cooperate so that absentee residents will not remain the insurmountable barrier for Kinmen’s Pap Smear screening program.