Uptake of breast screening and associated factors among Hong Kong women aged ≥50 years: a population-based survey

Public Health

Volume 128, Issue 11, November 2014, Pages 1009–1016

Original Research

• S.S.M. Ho^a,
• K.C. Choi^a,
• C.L. Wong^a,
• C.W.H. Chan^a,
• H.Y.L. Chan^a,
• W.P.Y. Tang^a,
• W.W.T. Lam^b,
• A.T.Y. Shiu^a,
• W.B. Goggins^c,
• W.K.W. So^{a, ,}

• 
  

doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2014.09.001

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Abstract

Objective

To examine the uptake of breast screening and its associated factors among Hong Kong Chinese women aged ≥50 years.

Study design

Cross-sectional population-based survey.

Methods

A sample of Hong Kong Chinese women was recruited through telephone random-digit dialling. The survey consisted of six sections: perceived health status, use of complementary medicine, uptake of breast screening, perceived susceptibility to cancer, family history of cancer and demographic data. The factors associated with uptake of breast screening were analysed using logistic regression analysis.

Results

In total, 1002 women completed the (anonymous) telephone survey. The mean age was 63.5 (standard deviation 10.6) years. The uptake rate of breast screening among Hong Kong Chinese women aged ≥50 years was 34%. The primary reasons for undertaking breast screening were as part of a regular medical check-up (74%), prompted by local signs and symptoms (11%) and a physician's recommendation (7%). Higher educational level, married or cohabiting, family history of cancer, frequent use of complementary therapies, regular visits to a doctor or Chinese herbalist, and the recommendation of a health professional were all independently and significantly associated with increased odds of having had a mammogram.

Conclusions

This study provides community-based evidence of the need for public health policy to promote broader use of mammography services among this target population, with emphasis on the active involvement of health care professionals, through the development and implementation of appropriate evidence-based and resource-sensitive strategies.

Keywords

• Mammogram;
• Mammography;
• Breast cancer;
• Screening;
• Uptake

Corresponding author. Rm 731, 7/F, Esther Lee Building, The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong, China. Tel.: +852 3943 1072; fax: +852 2603 5935.

Copyright © 2014 The Royal Society for Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.