The impact of education and literacy levels on cancer screening among older Latin American and Caribbean adults.
BACKGROUND
There is limited information related to the effects of education and literacy on cancer screening practices among older adults in Latin American and Caribbean countries.


METHODS
To determine the association between education and cancer screening use, we developed a cross-sectional study using data from the Health, Well-Being and Aging in Latin America and the Caribbean Study. The sample included 4,183 men and 6,708 women aged 60 years and older from seven cities. The outcomes are mammogram and Pap smear use in women and prostate examination use in men within the last 2 years.


RESULTS
In general, illiterate or lower-educated older men and women have the lowest rates of cancer screening use compared with higher-educated counterparts. Multivariate logistic models, by city and in a combined sample of six cities showed that high education is associated with higher odds of having a mammogram or a Pap smear in women and a prostate examination in men.


CONCLUSIONS
Older adults with low educational or literacy levels should be targeted for screening programs in these populations.
Reyes-Ortiz
Carlos A
CA
Sealy Center on Aging, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555, USA. careyeso@utmb.edu
Camacho
Maria E
ME
Amador
Luis F
LF
Velez
Luis F
LF
Ottenbacher
Kenneth J
KJ
Markides
Kyriakos S
KS
D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007843:Latin America; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008327:Mammography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014900:West Indies