Objectives: To examine the relationship between deprivation and attendance to cervical cancer screening.
Methods: Three deprivation indices (Carstairs, UnderPrivileged Area, Department of Environment) were calculated for women aged 25-65 attending a 1993-95 cervical cancer screening program (Doubs "département", France), with 594 municipalities as statistical units. Weighted multivariate linear regressions were performed, with attendance rate as the dependent variable, and the three deprivation indices in turn as independent variables along with women's mean age, average net income, density of (para)medical amenities, density of population and proportion of women.
Results: Per municipality women were numbered 1-29,822 (mean 210). In multivariate models, the three deprivation indices were negatively linked to attendance rate, and so were mean age of women and density of population. Average net income, proportion of women, and density of (para)medical amenities (nurses, laboratories, ambulances, physicians, dentists) were positively associated with attendance rate.
Conclusions: In early stages, cervical cancer screening programs should account for populations living in deprived areas, through focused health promotion efforts and easier access to screening facilities.