![]() | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Kathleen M Russell, DNS, RN, School of Nursing, Indiana University, 1111 Middle Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46202-5107, 317-274-4079, katrusse@iupui.edu, Stanley D Reed, MD, MPP, School of Medicine, Indiana University, 1120 South Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46202, Miriam Garland, SD, Health and Hospital Corporation, 3939 North Rural Street, Indianapolis, IN 46205, and Sharon Kandris, MA, The Polis Center, IUPUI, 1200 Waterway Blvd, Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46202.
Sustained cancer screening use varies among low-income and racial/ethnic minority women and may contribute to late stage cancer diagnosis. Although research exists on individual predictors of cancer screening in women, the contribution of community attributes in cancer control is less understood. Using an ecological approach, this retrospective cohort study will examine interval breast and cervical cancer screening in low-income women and address the following questions: (1) What are the differences in cancer screening patterns in medically underserved women over a three-year period, and (2) are there personal and community characteristics associated with these differences? We will collect data on 13,000 women, ages > 18 years with no diagnosis of breast or cervical cancer and enrolled in a publicly funded managed care program from 1998 to 2001 in Marion County, Indiana. Data sources include a computerized medical records system, census variables, and crime data. We will measure the outcome variable, cancer-screening use, with frequency of mammography and Pap test. Individual-level variables include demographics, health status, and distance to health facility. Community-level variables include demographics, housing, employment, educational attainment, and crime data. These data will be analyzed with descriptive statistics and regression analysis using generalized linear mixed models. GIS software will map spatial concentrations of screening status for each type of screening by neighborhood, census tract, and township. Results of this study will allow us to identify geographic areas in the county that are high risk for underutilization of cancer screening and facilitate community health planning of tailored community interventions.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Geographic Information Systems, Cancer Screening
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Indiana University School of Medicine Center for Excellence in Womens Health
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: grant