title: Factors associated with the use of gastric cancer screening services in Korea: the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008 (KNHANES IV).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Despite government efforts to increase participation in gastric cancer screening, the rate is still suboptimal in Korea. Therefore, we explored barriers to and predictors of gastric cancer screening participation among a nationally representative sample.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used the Health Interview Survey sub-dataset derived from the Fourth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008 (KNHANES IV) to evaluate participation in gastric cancer screening and factors associated with attendance in individuals age ≥ 40 years. We enrolled 4,464 subjects who completed the questionnaire and were not previously diagnosed with gastric cancer. Four groups of factors were considered potential predictors of gastric cancer screening in a multivariate analysis: sociodemographic, health behavior, psychological and cognitive, and dietary factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 41.3% complied with the gastric cancer screening recommendations. Younger age, lower education level, living without a spouse, frequent binge drinker, and current smoker were significantly associated with less participation in gastric cancer screening.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To improve participation in gastric cancer screening, more focused interventions should be directed to vulnerable populations, such as groups with low socioeconomic status or unhealthy behavior. In addition, there should be new promotional campaigns and health education to provide information targeting these vulnerable populations.
authors.affiliation: National Cancer Control Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ji-Yeon
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Duk-Hee
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012307:Risk Factors; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires