Identifying intersectional groups at risk for missing breast cancer screening: Comparing regression- and decision tree-based approaches
2024

Identifying Women at Risk for Missing Breast Cancer Screening

Sample size: 4761 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Núria Pedrós Barnils, Benjamin Schüz

Primary Institution: Institute for Public Health and Nursing Research, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany

Hypothesis

This study aims to identify intersectional groups of women at higher risk of not attending breast cancer screening by comparing regression and decision tree-based approaches.

Conclusion

The study found that low-income women not born in Germany and living in rural areas are at the highest risk of never attending breast cancer screening.

Supporting Evidence

  • The decision tree approach identified additional nuances in at-risk groups.
  • Women living alone or with children had higher odds of never attending screenings.
  • The study highlights the importance of considering multiple social dimensions.

Takeaway

The study looked at different groups of women to see who is less likely to get breast cancer screenings, finding that some women face more challenges than others.

Methodology

The study used data from the European Health Interview Survey and compared two analytical strategies: evidence-informed regression and decision tree-based regression.

Potential Biases

The study may have biases due to the low response rate of 21.6% and the potential underestimation of disparities in access to screening.

Limitations

The study's cross-sectional design limits causal inference, and the self-report methodology may introduce response bias.

Participant Demographics

Women aged 50-69, with a focus on socio-demographic characteristics such as income, country of origin, and living arrangements.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.002

Confidence Interval

(1.19–1.76)

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1016/j.ssmph.2024.101736

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