Biosocial determinants of hysterectomy in New Zealand.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the prevalence and biosocial correlates of hysterectomy.


METHODS
Data were from a 1995 national survey of women aged 20 to 59 years. We applied piecewise nonparametric exponential hazards models to a subsample aged 25 to 59 to estimate the effects of biosocial correlates on hysterectomy likelihood.


RESULTS
Risks of hysterectomy for 1991 through 1995 were lower than those before 1981. University-educated and professional women were less likely to undergo hysterectomy. Higher parity and intrauterine device side effects increased the risk.


CONCLUSIONS
This study confirms international results, especially those on education and occupation, but also points to ethnicity's mediating role. Education and occupation covary independently with hysterectomy. Analysis of time variance and periodicity showed declines in likelihood from 1981.
Dharmalingam
A
A
Population Studies Centre, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand. dharma@waikato.ac.nz
Pool
I
I
Dickson
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D007434:Intrauterine Devices / Q000009:adverse effects; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D009790:Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010298:Parity; D015995:Prevalence; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012307:Risk Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires