REASONS FOR NONCOMPLIANCE WITH SCREENING FOR INFECTION WITH HELICOBACTER-PYLORI, IN A MULTIETHNIC COMMUNITY IN LEICESTER, UK

In this study, we aimed to identify reasons for non-compliance with a screening programme for Helicobacter pylori (H pylori), in a multi-eth nic community and to assess the effectiveness of Asian language materi als towards increasing compliance. A serological screening test for in fection with H pylori was offered to 200 Asians and 200 non-Asians (ma inly Europeans), aged 21-55 y, registered at a single general practice . Reasons for non-attendance for screening were identified by reply sl ip or interview. A second group of 200 Asians who were offered screeni ng were sent information in Gujarati as well as English. When informat ion was mailed in English only, 30% Asians and 22% non-Asians attended (P = 0.09, ns). Stated reasons for non-attendance in the Asian group were not generally language related; reasons were similar in the Asian and non-Asian groups and were most frequently related to other commit ments. The use of materials in Gujarati did not improve compliance. La nguage problems should not be assumed to dominate reasons for non-comp liance with screening in ethnic minority groups. In common with those of UK origin, subjects from ethnic minority groups may more generally have insufficient interest in preventive medicine for them to prioriti se health screening above other commitments.