Factors associated to the performance of preventive cancer exams in Brazilian women, PNAD 2003

Abstract

To study factors associated to prevalence of Papanicolaou and mammography, in Brazilian women. We analyzed information for women 25 years and more in Brazilian National Household Sample Survey (PNAD) of IBGE in 2003 for Papanicolaou in the last 5 years and mammography in the last 2 years, and their prevalence accordingto demographic, socioeconomic and health, access and health services utilization variables. Bivariate and logistic regression statistical analysis were performed. Papanicolaou exams prevalence was 75.5% and mammography 36.1%. Logistic regression indicated as the main predictive factors for Papanicolaou: having children, medical consultation in previous year, high income, medium to high schooling, private health care plan and living in an urban zone. For mammography the important predictive factors were age (40-59 years), medical consultation in previous year, living in an urban zone, high income and private health careplan. The results for Papanicolaou showed significant presence in care of the public health system, and access to medical consultation as essential. For mammography prevalence was higher for the recomm ended ages, and a very different prevalence profile according to access to medical consultation and socioeconomic condition. Large number of exams were made by women in not recommended ages.