Background

The Pacific Women’s Data Advisory Group (PWDAG) was formed in 1992 at the request of Pacific women who attended the first National Pacific Screening Workers conference. Pacific women at that conference expressed concern with Pacific women’s data being collected and held in a database with no obvious control or protocols on who has access to that data, and how that data may be used.

What are the group’s functions?

The Pacific Women’s Data Advisory Group's (PWDAG) task is to consider applications for the release of Pacific women’s aggregate data from the National Cervical Screening Programme-Register (NCSP-Register), and to provide advice to the National Screening Unit on the release of the aggregate data. One of the main roles of the group is to ensure that if data is to be released it must be released in big enough numbers to protect any Pacific women from being identified.  It is very rare that the group would advise the National Screening Unit not to release data. One of the main reasons why the group may advise against release of data is if the group feels that the data may not be used to benefit Pacific women.

The principles the group uses when considering an application are:

• to protect the sanctity and integrity of Pacific women’s life as appropriate to each island group
• to provide protection so that data is only used for the enhancement of Pacific women’s health.

Confidentiality

In releasing approved data, the Pacific Women's Data Advisory Group will ensure that such releases protect the confidentiality of Pacific women on the NCSP-Register.  Very small numbers that might identify individual women will be aggregated into bigger groupings.

How to apply

All requests for data from the NCSP-Register must be made in writing to Mihikore Andrews, Interim NCSP Programme Leader, using the 'NCSP Register - Request for Data' form. If the request is approved, the NCSP will advise if an application to the PWDAG is also required to be completed. 

For further information please contact: Mihikore_Andrews@moh.govt.nz