Who has regular mammograms? Effects of knowledge, beliefs, socioeconomic status, and health-related factors.
BACKGROUND
Breast cancer accounts for the largest proportion of female cancer deaths and new cases in New South Wales (NSW). Biennial screening is recommended for women aged 50-69 years. Objectives were to (1) identify associations between beliefs and knowledge about breast cancer and mammography, socioeconomic (SES) indicators, and health-related factors, and having a mammogram (a) ever and (b) within the last 2 years; and (2) describe utilization of mammography.


METHODS
2974 women aged 50-69 years selected from the BreastScreen NSW (BSNSW) database and the NSW Electoral Roll were administered a structured telephone survey. Associations were assessed using weighted Chi squares and age-adjusted odds ratios from logistic regression with 95% confidence intervals.


RESULTS
Strong positive associations were found between age, married/de facto relationship, knowledge about and belief in the benefits of screening, indicators of health status and service utilization, and whether women had had a mammogram or had one within the recommended period. SES was weakly associated with regularity of mammography. Most respondents (97.4%) reported having had at least one mammogram.


CONCLUSIONS
Specific aspects of knowledge and beliefs about mammograms and individual health-related factors would be important components of initiatives to encourage initial and repeat screening in the targeted age group.
Achat
Helen
H
Centre for Epidemiology, Indicators, Research and Evaluation, Division of Service Development and Population Health, Sydney West Area Health Service, Locked Bag 7118, Parramatta BC NSW 2150, Australia. Helen_Achat@wsahs.nsw.gov.au
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Glenn
G
Taylor
Richard
R
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008327:Mammography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012042:Registries; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016387:Women's Health