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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Stephanie L. Jones, MPH, Policy Sciences Graduate Program, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250, 410-455-6531, jstep1@umbc.edu, Mary P. Mathis, MPH, PhD, Division of Public Health, Cancer Control, Georgia Department of Human Resources, 2 Peachtree Street, NW, Atlanta, GA 30303-3186, Claire Sterk, PhD, Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health of Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, and Iris E. Smith, MPH, American Cancer Society, 2200 Century Pkwy, Suite 950, Atlanta, GA 30345.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the impact of previous mammography use and environmental conditions on follow up compliance, utilizing Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory. METHODS: 6,580 patient records were examined for follow up compliance. Analyses were conducted to determine the relationship between follow up compliance and demographic variables, mammography history, presence of breast symptoms, CBE/ mammogram results, final diagnosis, and treatment status. POPULATION: Low income Georgia women enrolled in the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. RESULTS: 10.9% of the records indicated a failure to comply with follow up recommendations. Patients' health district (chi square=198.24;df=19;p<.001), previous mammography use (chi square=14.8; df=2;p<.001), and race (chi square=37.8; df=5; p<.000) were found to be significantly associated with compliance. Asian Americans conveyed the lowest rate of compliance when compared to records of African and Caucasian Americans. Hispanic origin was also associated with lower rates of compliance. Logistic regression analyses also indicated that patients' final diagnosis, status of treatment, and mammography history were significant predictors of compliance. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that women who have previously engaged in preventive behaviors such as mammography, are more likely to comply with follow up recommendations. Results also indicate a need for increased outreach efforts among Hispanic and Asian populations and further analysis of the environmental factors producing lower rates of mammography use and follow up compliance in certain health districts.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Women's Health, Cancer Prevention
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.