Demographic and Health Factors Associated with Mammography Utilization

Abstract

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of mammography utilization among women in 2002 and to compare it with Healthy People 2010 targets. Relationships between demographic and health factors and utilization were explored. Methods. This study used data from 93,657 women completing the 2002 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, a population-based telephone survey measuring behavioral risk factors. Relationships between demographic and health factors and mammography utilization were explored by bivariate and logistic regression analyses. Results. Seventy-six percent of women reported having had a mammogram within the past 2 years. Utilization was significantly associated with age; ethnicity; race; education; income; employment; perceived health; health insurance coverage; access to physicians; and receipt of basic, preventive health care services. When controlling for other factors, women who had a personal doctor, had health insurance, had higher incomes, and were older had the greatest odds of having received a mammogram within the past 2 years. Conclusions. This assessment indicates that, overall, the Healthy People 2010 mammography utilization target is being met. However, though utilization is improving for some at-risk groups, women without health insurance; women without a personal doctor; and women not receiving basic, preventive care fall short of the Healthy People 2010 target.