Papanicolaou test use among reproductive-age women at high risk for cervical cancer: analyses of the 1995 National Survey of Family Growth.
OBJECTIVE
This study assessed the relationship between risk factors for cervical cancer and Papanicolaou (Pap) test use within the past year among reproductive-age women.


METHODS
The 1995 National Survey of Family Growth, a demographic and reproductive health survey of 10 847 women aged 15 to 44, was analyzed with multiple logistic regression.


RESULTS
Of the women, 62% reported having had a Pap test within the past year. Use was significantly higher among women with risk factors and among African American women. Use was significantly lower among uninsured, poor, and foreign-born women and among women with lower educational attainment and of "other" race/ethnicity.


CONCLUSIONS
Strategies to improve Pap test use include (1) educational campaigns that inform women of cervical cancer risk factors and encourage screening and (2) increased support for programs that expand access to Pap tests.
Hewitt
Maria
M
Institute of Medicine, National Cancer Policy Board, 2101 Constitution Avenue, Washington, DC 20418, USA. mhewitt@nas.edu
Devesa
Susan
S
Breen
Nancy
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016387:Women's Health