Socioeconomic position and hysterectomy: a cross-cohort comparison of women in Australia and Great Britain
2008

Socioeconomic Position and Hysterectomy: A Comparison of Women in Australia and Great Britain

Sample size: 25750 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): R Cooper, J Lucke, D A Lawlor, G Mishra, J-H Chang, S Ebrahim, D Kuh, A Dobson

Primary Institution: MRC National Survey of Health and Development, University College London

Hypothesis

Are there associations between indicators of socioeconomic position and hysterectomy in women from Australia and Great Britain?

Conclusion

Inverse associations between indicators of socioeconomic position and hysterectomy are stronger in younger cohorts than in older cohorts in both Australia and Great Britain.

Supporting Evidence

  • Lower socioeconomic position is linked to higher rates of hysterectomy.
  • Associations vary by birth cohort, with younger women showing stronger links.
  • Educational attainment impacts the likelihood of undergoing hysterectomy.

Takeaway

Women with lower socioeconomic status are more likely to have a hysterectomy, especially if they are younger.

Methodology

Logistic regression was used to test the associations between socioeconomic indicators and self-reported hysterectomy.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to non-response and losses to follow-up.

Limitations

Lack of information on timing of hysterectomies and reasons for hysterectomy across cohorts.

Participant Demographics

Women from two Australian cohorts (born 1921-1926 and 1946-1951) and two British cohorts (born 1920-1939 and 1946).

Statistical Information

P-Value

<0.001

Confidence Interval

95% CI provided for odds ratios.

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1136/jech.2007.071001

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