title: Examining the Cervical Screening Behaviour of Women Aged 50 or above and Its Predicting Factors: A Population-Based Survey.
abstract: Under-screening may increase the risk of cervical cancer in middle-aged women. This study aimed to investigate cervical cancer screening behaviour and its predictors among women aged 50 years or above. A population-based sample of 959 women was recruited by telephone from domestic households in Hong Kong, using random methods, and a structured questionnaire developed to survey participants. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to examine the factors independently associated with cervical screening behaviour. Nearly half the sample (48%) had never had a cervical smear test. Multivariable analyses showed that age, educational level, marital status, family history of cancer, smoking status, use of complementary therapy, recommendation from health professionals, and believing that regular visits to a doctor or a Chinese herbalist were good for their health were predictors of cervical screening behaviour. Misconceptions concerned with menopause may reduce women's perceived susceptibility to cervical cancer, especially if they are 50 or above, and exert a negative effect on their screening behaviour. Healthcare professionals should actively approach these high-risk groups-older unmarried women, smokers, those less educated and who are generally not much concerned with their health.
authors.affiliation: The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong, China. whchan@cuhk.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Carmen W H
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong, China. kchoi@cuhk.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Kai Chow
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong, China. szemanwg@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Rosa S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong, China. kmchow@cuhk.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Ka Ming
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.affiliation: The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong, China. winnieso@cuhk.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Winnie K W
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: So
authors.affiliation: The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong, China. dorisleung@cuhk.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Doris Y P
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. wwtlam@hku.hk.
authors.forename: Wendy W T
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong, China. wgoggins@cuhk.edu.hk.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Goggins
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*
keywords: Chinese women; cervical cancer; menopause; population-based study; protection motivation theory; screening behaviour