Socioeconomic disparities in the uptake of breast and cervical cancer screening in Italy: a cross sectional study

Gianfranco Damiani, Bruno Federico, Danila Basso, Alessandra Ronconi, Caterina Bianca Neve Aurora Bianchi, Gian Marco Anzellotti, Gabriella Nasi, Franco Sassi, Walter Ricciardi

Risultato della ricerca: Contributo in rivistaArticolo in rivistapeer review

93 Citazioni (SciVal)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Breast and cervical cancer screening are widely recognized as effective preventive procedures in reducing cancer mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of socioeconomic disparities in the uptake of female screening in Italy, with a specific focus on different types of screening programs. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the 2004-2005 national health interview survey. A sample of 15, 486 women aged 50-69 years for mammography and one of 35, 349 women aged 25-64 years for Pap smear were analysed. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between socioeconomic factors and female screening utilization. RESULTS: Education and occupation were positively associated with attendance to both screening. Women with higher levels of education were more likely to have a mammogram than those with a lower level (OR = 1.28; 95% CI = 1.10-1.49). Women of intermediate and high occupational classes were more likely to use breast cancer screening (OR = 1.77; 95% CI = 1.55-2.03, OR = 1.63; 95% CI = 1.40-1.91) compared to unemployed women. Women in the highest occupational class had a higher likelihood of cervical cancer screening compared to those in the lowest class (OR = 1.81; 95% CI = 1.63-2.01). Among women who attended screening, those with lower levels of education and lower occupational classes were more likely than more advantaged women to attend organized screening programs rather than being screened on the basis of their own initiative. CONCLUSIONS: Inequalities in the uptake of female screening widely exist in Italy. Organized screening programs may have an important role in increasing screening attendance and tackling inequalities.
Lingua originaleEnglish
pagine (da-a)N/A-N/A
RivistaBMC Public Health
Volume12
DOI
Stato di pubblicazionePubblicato - 2012

Keywords

  • cervical cancer
  • disparities
  • screening

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