Predictors of Low Cervical Cancer Screening Among Immigrant Women in Ontario, Canada
Author Information
Author(s): Aisha K Lofters, Rahim Moineddin, Stephen W Hwang, Richard H Glazier
Primary Institution: University of Toronto
Hypothesis
This study aimed to determine how predictors of low cervical cancer screening varied by region of origin for Ontario's immigrant women.
Conclusion
Efforts should be made to ensure that immigrant women have access to a regular source of primary care and ideally access to a female health professional to increase screening rates.
Supporting Evidence
- Women from South Asia and the Middle East and North Africa had the lowest screening rates.
- Not having a female provider was the most significant predictor of non-screening.
- Living in the lowest-income neighborhoods was associated with lower screening rates.
- Women aged 35-49 were more likely to be screened compared to younger and older women.
Takeaway
The study found that many immigrant women in Ontario are not getting screened for cervical cancer, and having a female doctor can help increase screening rates.
Methodology
The study used a validated billing code algorithm to determine the proportion of women not screened for cervical cancer over a three-year period and created multivariate Poisson models stratified by region of origin.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to reliance on administrative data and the inability to account for out-of-province hysterectomies.
Limitations
Not all relevant information was available from administrative data, and the classification of immigrants by country of birth may not reflect their ethnic and cultural origins.
Participant Demographics
The study included immigrant women aged 18-66 from various regions, with a significant portion living in low-income neighborhoods.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI 14.6-19.1% for not having a female provider.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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