Younger Age and Health Beliefs Associated with Being Overdue for Pap Testing among Utah Latinas who were Non-Adherent to Cancer Screening Guidelines

AbstractFactors associated with being overdue for Papanicoloau (Pap) testing in a Latina community were examined. Female participants aged  ≥ 21 years, who were overdue for one or more cancer screenings (N = 206), were purposively recruited. Descriptive statistics, Fisher’s Exact Tests for count data, and multivariable logistic regressions were conducted. Participants overdue for cancer screening, aged 38–47 years demonstrated lower odds of being overdue for Pap testing compared with those 21 –37 years old (OR = 0.11, 95% CI = 0.01–0.49,p = 0.01). Lower perceived susceptibility to cervical cancer (OR = 3.21,p = 0.02), and poorer perceived health (OR = 3.74,p <  0.01) was associated with being overdue for Pap testing. Cost/lack of insurance was the most common barrier reported among those overdue for Pap testing. Among an underserved population of Latinas, cost or a lack of health insurance persist as barriers to Pap testing. Evaluation of systematic bar riers to accessing Pap testing for lower-income, uninsured individuals is recommended.
Source: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health - Category: Global & Universal Source Type: research