Health-related factors associated with the participation in cervical cancer screening

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to describe the coverage for cervical cancer screening among the visitors of a food exhibition in Brussels, Belgium and to describe the factors that affect their participation in the screening programs.

METHODS: The participants aged between 25 and 64 years were recruited during a food exhibition at the Brussels Exhibition Centre from 6 until 21 October 2012. Their participation to the cervical cancer screening was recorded as well as their medical history and health related parameters.

RESULTS: After adjustment for age and region, 66% of the 408 participants have had a cervical cancer screening during the past three years. In univariate analysis, no participation in the cervical cancer screening was related to hypertension, high body mass index (BMI), and low self-reported health. There was no adherence to breast cancer screening. Age, systolic blood pressure, abdominal circumference and BMI of the participants who did not adhere to cervical cancer screening were significantly higher as compared to the participants who did adhere. A multivariate analysis confirmed the relationship between not adhering to the screening and older age (OR=0.56; 95% CI: 0.44, 0.73) and having a high body mass index (OR=0.63; 95% CI: 0.47, 0.85). Participation to the screening was related to having a tetanus vaccination (OR=1.67; 95% CI: 1.05, 2.63) and adhering to breast cancer screening (OR=3.9; 95% CI: 2.09, 6.84).

CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed an association between not having had a cervical smear in the last three years and not having had a mammography, older age, not having had a tetanus immunisation recently and having a higher BMI.