The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #47155

Chung-won Lee, Ph D¹, Michael B. Toney, Ph D², and Edna H. Berry, Ph D². (1) Office of Health Care Statistics, Utah Department of Health, P.O. Box 144004, 288 North 1460 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84117-4004, 801-538-6551, clee@doh.state.ut.us, (2) Department of Sociology, Social Work, & Anthropology, Utah State University, Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322-0730

In the United States, hysterectomy is one of the most commonly performed operations for women that is not related with pregnancy. However, not enough attention has been paid to how women's exposure to the surgery differs according to their social characteristics as well attitudinal/behavioral factors. Using cohort data from the National Longitudinal Surveys of Mature Women, this study investigated two aspects: (1) the association between socioeconomic status and hysterectomy and (2) the impact of women's attitudinal/behavioral characteristics on hysterectomy. With Cox proportional hazards analyses, this study found that women's exposure to hysterectomy significantly differs according to their social and attitudinal standings. Social characteristics that were found to be statistically significant risk factors of hysterectomy include women's education, employment status, and marital status. Among attitudinal and behavioral factors, women's locus of control and number of children were identified as statistically significant risk factors. These findings may be used to enhance consumer awareness of hysterectomy and aid in policy reconstruction.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to explain what are women's non-clinical risk factors for hysterectomy and why more public education is needed.

Keywords: Women's Health, Practice

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.