Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #112404

Kathleen Russell, DNS, RN¹, Susan M. Perkins, PhD², Qianqian Zhao, MS², Stanley D. Reed, MD, MPP³, Sharon Kandris, MA⁴, and Terrell Zollinger, DrPH⁵. (1) School of Nursing, Indiana University, 1111 Middle Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46202, 317-274-4079, katrusse@iupui.edu, (2) Division of Biostatistics, Indiana University, 1050 Wishard Blvd, RG 4101, Indianapolis, IN 46202, (3) General Internal Medicine, Indiana University, 1050 Wishard Blvd, Fh 302, Indianapolis, IN 46202, (4) POLIS Center, Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis, 1200 Waterway Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46202, (5) Bowen Research Center, Indiana University, 1110 West Michigan Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202

This retrospective cohort study identified demographic, health status, and community predictors of repeat breast and cervical cancer screening in poor women. The sample consisted of 22,097 women with no breast or cervical cancer history who attended publicly funded clinics. Data were collected from medical record, census tract, and community organization data over a three-year period. Screening use was measured by regular, irregular, and non-use of mammograms for ages >50 years and Pap tests for ages >18 years. Data were analyzed with nested logistic regression and mapped with GIS. Overall, 60% were irregular or non-users of mammograms and 70% were irregular or non-users of Pap tests. Compared to non-Hispanic white women, Hispanic/Latinos and Asian/Pacific Islanders were more likely to be irregular vs. regular mammogram users and African Americans less likely to be non vs. regular users. For Pap test, African Americans and Hispanic/Latinos were more likely to be irregular users vs. nonusers. Nonusers of mammography screening had fewer illnesses and nonusers of both screenings were older than regular and irregular users. Pap tests irregular and nonusers were more likely to live in census tracts with more community organizations and lower educational levels. To promote initial and repeat screening in low-income women, findings suggest targeting all women who are older with less chronic illnesses using interventions at appropriate health literacy levels and increasing involvement of more atypical health community organizations in these efforts.

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