Factors Associated with Underscreening for Cervical Cancer among Women in Canada

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women worldwide. Failure toprevent cervical cancer is partly due to non-participation in regular screening. It is important to plan anddevelop screening programs directed towards underscreened women. In order to identify the factors associatedwith underscreening for cervical cancer among women, this study examined Pap test participation and factorsassociated with not having a time-appropriate (within 3 years) Pap test among a representative sample ofwomen in Ontario, Canada using Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) data. Materials and <br/><b>Methods</b>:Univariate analyses, cross-tabulations, and logistic regression modeling were conducted using cross-sectionaldata from the 2007-2008 CCHS. Analyses were restricted to 13,549 sexually active women aged 18-69 years oldliving in Ontario, with no history of hysterectomy. <br/><b>Results</b>: Almost 17% of women reported they had not hada time-appropriate Pap test. Not having a time-appropriate Pap test was associated with being 40-69 years old,single, having low education and income, not having a regular doctor, being of Asian (Chinese, South Asian,other Asian) cultural background, less than excellent health, and being a recent immigrant. <br/><b>Conclusions</b>: Resultsindicate that disparities still exist in terms of who is participating in cervical cancer screening. It is crucial todevelop and implement cervical cancer screening programs that not only target the general population, but alsothose who are less likely to obtain a Pap tests.