Factors associated with use of gastric cancer screening services in Korea.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the factors associated with participation in gastric cancer screening programs.


METHODS
Using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005 (KNHANES III), a nationwide health-related survey in Korea, a cross-sectional study was performed to investigate the multiple factors associated with gastric cancer screening attendance among persons aged at least 40 years. The study population included 4593 individuals who completed a gastric cancer screening questionnaire and had no previous cancer history. Four groups of individual-level or environmental level covariates were considered as potential associated factors.


RESULTS
Using KNHANES III data, an estimated 31.71% of Korean individuals aged at least 40 years adhered to gastric cancer screening recommendations. Subjects who graduated from elementary school [adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 1.66; 95% CI: 1.21-2.26], middle/high school (aOR, 1.38; 95% CI: 1.01-1.89), and university or higher (aOR, 1.64; 95% CI: 1.13-2.37) were more likely to undergo gastric cancer screening than those who received no formal education at all. The population with the highest income tertile had more attendance at gastric screening compared to those with the lowest income tertile (aOR, 1.36; 95% CI: 1.06-1.73). Gastric screening was also negatively associated with excessive alcohol consumption (aOR, 0.71; 95% CI: 0.53-0.96). A positive attitude to preventive medical evaluation was significantly associated with better participation in gastric cancer screening programs (aOR, 5.26; 95% CI: 4.35-6.35).


CONCLUSIONS
Targeted interventions for vulnerable populations and public campaigns about preventive medical evaluation are needed to increase gastric cancer screening participation and reduce gastric cancer mortality.
Kwon
Young-Min
YM
Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Jongro-Gu, Seoul, South Korea.
Lim
Hyung-Taek
HT
Lee
Kiheon
K
Cho
Be-Long
BL
Park
Min-Sun
MS
Son
Ki-Young
KY
Park
Sang-Min
SM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005773:Gastroscopy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D010358:Patient Participation; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*