Predictors of stage of readiness to adopt mammography for women visiting the emergency department for non-urgent care

Background: Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among American women. We sought to identify characteristics associated with being in a particular stage of readiness to have a mammogram for women who routinely visit the Emergency Department for non urgent care.

Objectives: To determine if there are differences in demographic characteristics and barriers to mammography by stage of readiness to adopt mammography for women visiting the ED for non urgent care, and to perform a hierarchical logistic regression to determine significant predictors of mammography adherence.

Methods: During a six month study period a convenience sample of women aged 40 and up who presented to the ED of a public hospital with non urgent complaints were surveyed. The anonymous written survey asked for information on demographics, mammography status, and readiness to adopt accepted screening guidelines.

Results: More than half of the sample had not had a mammogram in the past year (52%). Among these women, 57% were contemplators; 41% were precontemplators. Predictors of likelihood of having a mammogram in the next 6 months included number of years since last mammogram and money as a barrier to mammography. For each additional year since the last scan, women were 31% less likely to indicate they were likely/certain to have a mammogram in the next 6 months. Women with money as a barrier were 95% less likely to be likely/certain to have one in the next half-year.

Conclusions: Many women visiting the ED for non-urgent care are not having regular mammograms. understanding the complex individual intention of these may assist health care providers to tailor interventions to address their specific needs.