Cervical cancer screening in the Flemish region (Belgium): measurement of the attendance rate by telephone interview

In November and December 1995 a computer assisted telephone interview (CATI) was organized in order to measure the rate of participation in cervical cancer screening among a sample of 1,477 women between 18 and 69 years old, residing in the Flemish Region and selected by random digit dialling. Assoc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of cancer prevention 1997-08, Vol.6 (4), p.389-398
Main Authors: Arbyn, M, Quataert, P, Van Hal, G, Van Oyen, H
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Age Distribution
Aged
Attitude to Health
Belgium - epidemiology
Biological and medical sciences
Confidence Intervals
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Female genital diseases
Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics
Health Surveys
Humans
Incidence
Interviews as Topic
Mass Screening - methods
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Multivariate Analysis
Odds Ratio
Patient Compliance
REVIEW
Risk Factors
Rural Population
Tumors
Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - epidemiology
Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - prevention & control
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Summary:In November and December 1995 a computer assisted telephone interview (CATI) was organized in order to measure the rate of participation in cervical cancer screening among a sample of 1,477 women between 18 and 69 years old, residing in the Flemish Region and selected by random digit dialling. Associations between screening status and a set of explanatory variables (demographic, socioeconomic determinants and exposition to primary risk factors for cervical cancer) were studied by logistic regression modelling. The screening coverage meaning the percentage of women screened less than 3 years ago, increases sharply up to 25 years and remains higher than 85% up to 40 years; from then it decreases progressively. Socioeconomically deprived groups and single women are less likely to have a smear taken. Notable regional differences exist. Over-screening (interval between Papanicolaou smears less than 3 years) is an important phenomenon among screened women especially within the younger age groups. The prevalence of risk factors (sexual intercourse at young age, multiple sex partners, contraceptive pill use, smoking) has increased over time but women at higher risk are generally better screened. This survey provides useful baseline information necessary to monitor the achievement of some main objectives, formulated by the Europe Against Cancer programme and also included in Flemish public health policy.
ISSN:0959-8278
1473-5709
DOI:10.1097/00008469-199708000-00012