Effect of distance and travel time on rural women's compliance with screening mammography: an UPRNet study. Upper Peninsula Research Network.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to determine whether the distance and time required for rural women to travel for a mammogram is associated with their compliance with screening mammography recommendations.


METHODS
Women who were > or = 40 years old and visiting family physician offices for any reason were given a questionnaire regarding their frequency of mammography during the past 4 years, the distance and travel time from their homes to the nearest mammography unit, their attitudes and knowledge about mammography, and demographics. The study was conducted in the 12 family practices of the Upper Peninsula Research Network (UPRNet), a Michigan rural family practice research network.


RESULTS
Eighty-eight percent (N = 416) of the women in the study had previously had mammography, but 41% were not compliant with American Cancer Society guidelines regarding mammography screening. After controlling for confounding, none of the measures of travel time or distance were associated with mammography compliance.


CONCLUSIONS
In this rural population, mammography compliance is not affected by distance, travel time, or transportation. A population-based study in a more remote area is needed to further explore geographic barriers to mammography compliance among rural women.
Department of Family Practice, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Escanaba, MI 49829.
N E
NE
Kreher
J M
JM
Hickner
M T
MT
Ruffin
C S
CS
Lin
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008327:Mammography / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008824:Michigan; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014195:Travel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data