Factors associated with cervical cancer screening behaviors among young married female (aged 20–29) immigrants in South Korea

Abstract

Objective To identify factors that affect the participation of female immigrants in their 20s in the national cervical cancer screening programs. Methods Data were obtained from the National Health Insurance Services from 2016 to 2017. A total of 17,730 women who agreed to undergo cervical cancer screening during 2016–2017 were included in the study. Results Of the 17,730 women, 8,149 (46%) participated in cervical cancer screening, whereas, 9,581 (54%) did not. Logistic regression analysis of factors related to cervical cancer screening showed that the odds ratio (OR) of screening was higher in short duration of stay (OR, 1.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03–1.35), Chinese nationality (OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.28–1.59), unemployment (OR, 1; 95% CI, reference), participation in general health screening (OR, 4.16; 95% CI, 3.24–5.33), and comorbidities (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.09–1.24) when compared to the other populations. The highest OR was associated with participation in general health screening. Conclusion Appropriate programs should be developed to increase participation of socially vulnerable groups in cervical cancer screening. Such programs will improve awareness regarding cervical cancer screening and reduce disparities in healthcare.

Keywords

• cervical cancer
• screening
• immigrants
• healthcare disparities