Determinants of adequate follow-up of an abnormal Papanicolaou result among Jamaican women in Portland, Jamaica

Jeong, Su Jin; Saroha, Ekta; Knight, Jeremy; Roofe, Michele; Jolly, Pauline E.

doi:10.1016/j.canep.2010.07.004

« PreviousCancer Epidemiology
Volume 35, Issue 2 , Pages 211-216, April 2011

Determinants of adequate follow-up of an abnormal Papanicolaou result among Jamaican women in Portland, Jamaica

Su Jin Jeong
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Maternal and Child Health, RPHB 320, 1530 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294-0022, USA
- Department of Health Care Organization and Policy, RPHB 320, 1530 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294-0022, USA
- Corresponding author at: Department of Health Care Organization and Policy, RPHB 320, 1530 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294-0022, USA. Tel.: +1 205 934 3939; fax: +1 205 934 3347.
Ekta Saroha
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Maternal and Child Health, RPHB 320, 1530 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294-0022, USA
- The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB & Malaria, Department of Social Work, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
Jeremy Knight
- North East Regional Health Authority, 34–38 Ocean Village Shopping Centre, Main Street, Ocho Rios, St. Ann, Jamaica
Michele Roofe
- North East Regional Health Authority, 34–38 Ocean Village Shopping Centre, Main Street, Ocho Rios, St. Ann, Jamaica
Pauline E. Jolly
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Epidemiology, RPHB 217, 1530 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294-0022, USA

Accepted 2 July 2010. published online 21 July 2010.

Abstract

Background: Among Jamaican women, cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer mortality but factors that facilitate follow-up of women receiving abnormal Pap smear results are not known. We examined whether socio-demographic factors, factors reported by the women, and assistance received for follow-up facilitate adequate follow-up of abnormal Pap smears. Methods: One hundred and twenty-one women who had abnormal Pap results during June 1998–September 2005 in Portland, Jamaica were interviewed to identify determinants of adequate follow-up. Chi-square, t-test and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used to identify determinants. Results: Only half of the women in this sample sought adequate follow-up. These women had a lower number of surviving children, higher monthly income, and perceived the cost of services to be inexpensive. Advice about the timing of the follow-up activity and the next step to take by the healthcare workers were significant determinants of adequate follow-up. Women who received advice on the timing of follow-up were almost six times (adjusted OR: 5.99, 95% CI: 1.17, 30.66, p<0.05) more likely to seek adequate follow-up after adjusting for other factors. Conclusions: Perceived low cost of services as well as assistance provided by healthcare workers regarding follow-up action helps to facilitate adequate follow-up of abnormal Pap smear results.