##Socio-cultural aspects in gynecological health care of Maori women in New Zealand
The higher rates of cervical cancer among Maori women are of particular concern for the Ministry of Health in New Zealand. The indigenous people have repeatedly called for an increased role in the control and delivery of health service for Maori. To provide adequate, appropriate and accessible services to women, some Maori nurses and midwives have been trained as cervical smear-takers. To overcome cultural barriers, they are offering "Sexual Health Promotion" and cervical smear-tests in community based health centers. As it is widely accepted that the human papillomavirus plays a central role in precursor abnormalities and that the risk of cervical cancer is increased among women who begin sexual intercourse at earlier ages and have different partners, sexual health promotion, including "Safer Sex," STD and HIV/AIDS prevention for the younger generation is focused on changing sexual behaviour. Information on contraceptives also should reduce the high rate of "Teenager-mothers." Because of culture-linked beliefs and behaviour rules in regard to the female genital organ special consideration has to be taken by non-Maori hospital staff members, especially if dealing with elderly patients who are from rural areas, have tribal links to Tuhoe and/or are members of the Ringatu-Church.##
Keywords: sexual health promotion, Maori women, STD prevention, cervical screening, Papillomavirus, cultural barriers, Maori nurses, HIV/AlDS-prevention, medical anthropology, AIDS prevention
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