Factors related to non-adherence to mammography in a city of the Brazilian Amazonian area: A population-based study.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence of mammography use and factors related to non-adherence in Boa Vista, capital of Roraima, Brazil.

METHOD

A cross sectional study, quantitative analysis, based on household survey was performed between June and August 2013, using a face-to-face interview with a pre-tested form. Target population was women between 40 and 69 years. The sample size target was 240 participants, and the sampling method was random cluster sampling. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Federal University of Roraima.

RESULTS

241 women were included without refusals. The prevalence of non-use of mammography in the past two years was 55.6% (95CI 49.1-61.9). In univariate analysis, the risk factors for non-adherence to mammography were having low educational level, family income below three minimum wages, receiving government assistance, not having consulted with a doctor and no health insurance. In multivariate analysis, only low educational level and receiving government assistance remained as risk factors. Medical consultation or health worker visiting were protective factors.

CONCLUSION

Adherence to mammography is unsatisfactory in Boa Vista, Roraima, and has a predominantly opportunistic character. Low educational level is confirmed as an independent risk factor, but belonging to a family that receives government assistance can be interpreted as a social marker of families and/or areas lacking of government intervention to increase access to breast cancer control programs.