Monitoring disease burden and preventive behavior with data linkage: cervical cancer among aboriginal people in Manitoba, Canada.

OBJECTIVES This study sought to estimate rates of cervical cancer and Papanicolaou testing among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women in Manitoba, Canada. METHODS Data were derived through linking of administrative databases. RESULTS In comparison with non-Aboriginal women, Aboriginal women had 1.8 and 3.6 times the age-standardized incidence rates of in situ and invasive cervical cancer, respectively. With the exception of those aged 15 to 19 years, Aboriginal women were less likely to have had at least 1 Papanicolaou test in the preceding 3 years. CONCLUSIONS Data linkage provides a rapid and inexpensive means to estimate disease burden and preventive behavior in the absence of registries. There is an urgent need for an organized Papanicolaou test screening program in the Aboriginal population.