Cervical cancer, a disease of poverty: mortality differences between urban and rural areas in Mexico.
OBJECTIVE
To examine cervical cancer mortality rates in Mexican urban and rural communities, and their association with poverty-related factors, during 1990-2000.


METHODS
We analyzed data from national databases to obtain mortality trends and regional variations using a Poisson regression model based on location (urban-rural).


RESULTS
During 1990-2000 a total of 48,761 cervical cancer (CC) deaths were reported in Mexico (1990 = 4,280 deaths/year; 2000 = 4,620 deaths/year). On average, 12 women died every 24 hours, with 0.76% yearly annual growth in CC deaths. Women living in rural areas had 3.07 higher CC mortality risks compared to women with urban residence. Comparison of state CC mortality rates (reference = Mexico City) found higher risk in states with lower socio-economic development (Chiapas, relative risk [RR] = 10.99; Nayarit, RR = 10.5). Predominantly rural states had higher CC mortality rates compared to Mexico City (lowest rural population).


CONCLUSIONS
CC mortality is associated with poverty-related factors, including lack of formal education, unemployment, low socio-economic level, rural residence and insufficient access to healthcare. This indicates the need for eradication of regional differences in cancer detection. This paper is available too at: http://www.insp.mx/salud/index.html.
Palacio-Mejía
Lina Sofía
LS
El Colegio de la Frontera Norte, Tijuana, Baja California, México.
Rangel-Gómez
Gudelia
G
Hernández-Avila
Mauricio
M
Lazcano-Ponce
Eduardo
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends; D011203:Poverty; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality*