title: Utilization of screening mammography among middle-aged and older women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examines patterns of screening mammogram use, investigating the relationship of screening with demographic, health status, and healthcare factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from 1242 women aged ?41 were obtained from a random sample of mailed surveys to community households in an eight-county region in Central Texas in 2010. The dependent variable was the timing of the participants' most recent screening mammography (in the past 12 months, between 1 and 2 years, or >2 years). Predictor variables included demographic, health status, and healthcare access factors. Multinomial logistic regression identified variables associated with screening mammography practices.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of women reported having at least one mammogram during their lifetime (93.0%) and having a mammography within the past 2 years (76.2%). Participants who reported not having a routine checkup in the past 12 months (odds ratio [OR] 0.12, p<0.001), having a lapse of insurance in the past 3 years (OR 2.95, p<0.05), and living in a health provider shortage area (OR 1.42, p<0.05) were less likely to be screened within the past 2 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Routine healthcare plays a major role in preventive screening, which indicates screening mammography practices can be enhanced by improving participation in routine checkups with medical providers, continuity of insurance coverage, and women's access to healthcare. Interventions to encourage screening mammography may be particularly needed for women who have experienced a lapse in insurance or have not had a checkup in the past year.
authors.affiliation: College of Public Health, University of Georgia, 330 River Road, Athens, GA 30602-6522, USA. health@uga.edu
authors.forename: Matthew Lee
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Angela K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Hochhalter
authors.forename: SangNam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: Meghan M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Wernicke
authors.forename: Marcia G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Ory
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008327:Mammography / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013781:Texas