Determinants of breast cancer screening utilization among women workers in urban Mexico

Introduction. This study aimed to determine critical factors influencing the utilization of clinical breast exam and mammography among women workers in Monterrey, Mexico.

Methods. Participants (306 female clerks ages 18-60) provided survey information regarding sociodemographic data and practices, knowledge, and perceptions of breast cancer screening. Factors identified by odds ratio analysis as significantly different between cases and controls were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression.

Results. Knowledge of the utility of breast self-exam (odds ratio 6.0, 95% confidence interval: 1.0, 33.9), perception of sufficient material and personnel available for clinical breast exam (odds ratio 4.7, 95% confidence interval: 1.7, 13.2), and perception of sufficient time available for clinical breast exam (odds ratio 2.5, 95% confidence interval: 1.1, 5.8) significantly predisposed utilization of screening services independent of years of formal education, number of pregnancies, number of children living, hours worked per week, and monthly familial income.

Conclusion. Accurate information and perceived availability of sufficient resources (material and personnel; time) were more strongly associated with utilization of breast cancer screening services than hypothesized sociocultural barriers (fear, embarrassment, or spousal/partner acceptance). Our findings have implications for future development of strategies to increase screening service utilization.