Prevalence and correlates of breast and cervical cancer screening among a community sample of Latino women in Dane County, Wisconsin

Low adherence to breast and cervical cancer screening results in higher BCC mortality among Latinas compared to other ethnic groups. This study estimates the prevalence of and factors associated with BCC screening among a community-sample of Latinas participating in Cuidándome (Taking Care of Me), an intervention to increase BCC screening among low-acculturated Latinas in Dane County, Wisconsin. At baseline, participants (N=274; mean age = 35; SD =10.3; 63% monolingual Spanish) completed a self-administered questionnaire on demographics, BCC screening history, knowledge, and barriers. 66.1% of women aged 40 or over (N=92) and 92.5% of all women reported ever having had a mammogram and a Pap smear, respectively. In contrast, only 32.8% and 55.9%, respectively, reported receipt of these tests during the last 12 months. Univariate analyses indicated that education (OR= 6.7; 95%CI: 2.2, 20.0), length of stay in the US (OR= 1.1; 95%CI: 1.0, 1.2), having children (OR= 1.2; 95%CI: 1.0, 1.5), having health insurance (OR= 3.3; 95%CI: 1.2, 9.4), concern about cost (OR= 4.5; 95%CI: 1.5, 13.3), lack of English fluency (OR= 4.1; 95%CI: 1.5, 11.7), and fear of an abnormal result (OR= 2.6; 95%CI: 0.8, 7.9) were significantly associated with last 12-month mammogram receipt. Last 12-month Pap smear receipt was significantly associated with knowledge on risk and protective factors (OR= 1.1; 95%CI: 1.0, 1.3) and having health insurance (OR= 1.9; 95%CI: 1.1, 3.4). These results highlight the need for multilevel interventions that address individual, cultural, and structural barriers to BCC screening among low-acculturated Latino women.