Predictors of non-attendance from BreastScreen NSW in women who report current mammography screening.
OBJECTIVE
To identify among self-reported current screeners: (1) predictors of never attendance at BreastScreen NSW (BSNSW); (2) predictors of late or lapsed attendance to BSNSW (attendance to alternative providers).


METHODS
Random samples of women aged 50-69 years were selected from the BSNSW database and NSW electoral roll as: current attenders to BSNSW (<27 months since last screen); late or lapsed attenders to BSNSW (>27 months since last screen); or women who had never attended BSNSW. The response rate was 71% (3,104) for a telephone interview that asked questions concerning demographics, medical status and health service usage, and opinions and behaviours related to mammography.


RESULTS
Never attendance at BSNSW was predicted by higher income, advice from a doctor or nurse to have their last mammogram, recent clinical breast examination and belief that a referral letter is necessary. Late or lapsed attendance to BSNSW (and attendance to alternate providers) was associated with higher education, health insurance coverage, recent clinical breast examination and a family history of breast cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
Currently screened women who do not attend BSNSW, or who are late or lapsed for a mammogram, appear to be influenced by referral patterns of their health care providers and their higher socio-economic status.


CONCLUSIONS
BSNSW should be promoted to eligible women and general practitioners as a specialty mammography screening service that does not require a referral.
Taylor
Richard
R
Monitoring, Evaluation and Research Unit, and School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, New South Wales. richardt@health.usyd.edu.au
Ivanov
Olga
O
Page
Andrew
A
Brotherton
Julia
J
Achat
Helen
H
Close
Glenn
G
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008327:Mammography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013997:Time Factors