Back to Annual Meeting

Back to Annual Meeting

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Elizabeth A. Masterson, MPH¹, Claudia Hopenhayn, MPH, PhD², and Richard J. Charnigo, PhD². (1) Dade Moeller & Associates, Inc., 4850 Smith Road, Suite 200, Cincinnati, OH 45212, 513-807-0768, emasterson@cinci.rr.com, (2) College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, 2365 Harrodsburg Road, Suite 100, Lexington, KY 40504

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of mental health on the use of mammography screening in Kentucky. Utilizing a cross-sectional design, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey data for 2002 were examined. Mental health was measured by the reported number of days that mental health was not good, the number of days feeling sad, blue or depressed, and the number of days feeling worried, tense or anxious. The outcome was mammography within the last two years (recent mammography) for women 40 years of age and older. Three logistic regression analyses were performed; each of the three using a different mental health variable as the primary explanatory variable. Analyses controlled for age, race, marital status, education, income, and health insurance status. The numbers of poor mental health days, depressed days and anxious days were found to be significant predictors of recent mammography. Odds ratios comparing women with thirty poor mental health days, depressed days, and anxious days to similar women with zero days were estimated to be 1.845 (p=.007), 1.861 (p=.024), and 1.673 (p=.028), respectively. Race, income, and health insurance were also significant predictors of recent mammography. Mental health does appear to have some influence on mammography use, with poor mental health, depression and anxiety serving as risk factors for noncompliance with regular mammography screening. Additional research, perhaps with a prospective study, is needed for a more definitive determination.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• List five predictors of mammography screening.
• Describe the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
• Recognize the link between mental health and breast cancer screening.

Keywords: Breast Cancer Screening, Mental Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered