239069 Association of Social Support, Socio-economic Status, and Brest and Cervical Cancer Screening

Wednesday, November 2, 2011: 8:30 AM

Patricia Documét, MD, DrPH , Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pitsburgh, PA
Todd M. Bear, MPH , Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Edmund Ricci, PhD, MLitt , Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Jeanette M. Trauth, PhD , Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Hernan Maldonado, MS, MPP , Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
  
Despite efforts to promote early detection of cervical and breast cancer, significant disparities in screening persist; women of lower socioeconomic status (SES) are less likely to be current in their screenings. The role of social support (SS) in promoting screening remains unclear and researchers have suggested that SS mitigates the effects of low SES on screening.

Objectives: 1) to determine if an association exists between SS and compliance with American Cancer Society guidelines regarding Papanicolaou and mammogram screening; 2) to test SS as a moderator of the effect of SES on screening.

Using data from the 2009-2010 Allegheny County Behavioral Risk Factor Survey, a population-based telephone survey, we conducted logistic regressions on two subpopulations: women age 21-70 and women age 40 and older. The dependent variables were having at least one Papanicolaou in the past 3 years and having a mammogram in the past year, respectively. We tested the association of social support and compliance with screening recommendations. To measure SS, we used an abbreviated version of the MOS SS scale (MOS-SS 4) and the presence of a spouse or partner.

Social support was associated with screening compliance, while controlling for age, income, and health insurance. The results for Papanicolaou were: MOS-SS 4=1.04, 95%CI: 1.01-1.08; presence of partner =1.38, 95%CI: 1.09-1.74. Results for mammogram were: MOS-SS 4=1.07, 95%CI: 1.05-1.10; presence of partner =1.29, 95%CI: 1.09-1.54. There were no significant interactions between SS and SES.

We conclude that the association of social support on promoting screening is independent from SES.

Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Program planning
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
1)Discuss the role of social support on breast and cervical cancer screening. 2)Discuss the possible interaction between social support and socioeconomic status in their association with breast and cervical cancer screening.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I took part in conceptualizing the study and analyzing the data.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Evidence-based breast and cervical cancer prevention: Influences on patient and provider decision-making
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