Jenn A Leiferman1, Alfred M Pheley. 1. Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Center for Pediatric Research, Eastern Virginia Medical School, 855 West Brambleton Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23510-1001, USA. leiferja@chkd.org
Abstract
PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between mental distress and preventive health behaviors (i.e., mammograms, pap tests, physical exams) among women. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was employed. The sample consisted of 426 women from the Appalachian region in the United States who completed a comprehensive health survey. Mental distress was assessed by the 5-item Mental Health Index (MHI). Logistic regression was used to specify the models allowing for the control of covariates (i.e., marital status, education, recipient of Medicaid). RESULTS: Women who reported high mental distress were more likely to not get timely pap tests [OR = 1.64; 95% CI (1.10, 2.45); p < .05] or physical exams [OR = 1.68; 95% CI (1.07, 2.65); p < .05] than women who did not report being mentally distressed. A similar but less robust relationship was found between mental distress and timely mammograms. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that mental distress affects the likelihood of engagement in preventive health behaviors.
PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between mental distress and preventive health behaviors (i.e., mammograms, pap tests, physical exams) among women. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was employed. The sample consisted of 426 women from the Appalachian region in the United States who completed a comprehensive health survey. Mental distress was assessed by the 5-item Mental Health Index (MHI). Logistic regression was used to specify the models allowing for the control of covariates (i.e., marital status, education, recipient of Medicaid). RESULTS:Women who reported high mental distress were more likely to not get timely pap tests [OR = 1.64; 95% CI (1.10, 2.45); p < .05] or physical exams [OR = 1.68; 95% CI (1.07, 2.65); p < .05] than women who did not report being mentally distressed. A similar but less robust relationship was found between mental distress and timely mammograms. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that mental distress affects the likelihood of engagement in preventive health behaviors.
Authors: Mira L Katz; Kathleen A Donohue; Catherine M Alfano; Jeannette M Day; James E Herndon; Electra D Paskett Journal: Cancer Date: 2009-02-01 Impact factor: 6.860