Rates and correlates of discomfort associated with mammography.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the rates and correlates of discomfort at mammography in asymptomatic women aged 50-74 years from six San Diego, Calif, mammography facilities.


METHODS
Subjects (N = 1,800) completed a 43-item telephone interview approximately 3 weeks after screening mammography. Bivariate associations between variables were analyzed with chi(2) analysis. Logistic regression was used to assess the independent predictors of discomfort at mammography while controlling for all other factors.


RESULTS
Nine hundred thirty-three (52%) women reported moderate to extreme discomfort at mammography. Discomfort was not related to the intention to undergo future mammography (P =.95). Factors that were significantly associated with discomfort in multivariate analyses were facility (P <.001), satisfaction with care (P <.04), and perception of the technologist's "roughness" (P <.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Discomfort, although not related to the intention to undergo future mammography, had a relatively high incidence.
Dullum
J R
JR
Graduate School of Public Health, Hardy Tower 119, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182-4162, USA.
Lewis
E C
EC
Mayer
J A
JA
D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005348:Fibrocystic Breast Disease / Q000150:complications; D005544:Forecasting; D006268:Health Facilities; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008327:Mammography / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012923:Social Class; D013679:Technology, Radiologic