Leepao Khang1, Swann Arp Adams2, Susan E Steck3, Jiajia Zhang3, Sudha Xirasagar4, Virginie G Daguise5. 1. Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia. Electronic address: lkhang@csufresno.edu. 2. Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia; College of Nursing, University of South Carolina, Columbia. 3. Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia. 4. Department of Health Services Policy and Management, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia. 5. South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Bureau of Disease Control, Columbia, SC.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Although many studies have examined factors in predicting incomplete and delay in abnormal mammogram follow-up, few have used geospatial methods to examine these factors. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between travel distance to health facilities and completion of abnormal mammogram follow-up among disadvantaged women in South Carolina. METHODS: Women participating in South Carolina's Best Chance Network between 1996 and 2009 with abnormal mammogram were included in the study. Kaplan-Meier survival was used to describe the probability of work-up completion after abnormal mammogram among different distance categories, and Cox proportional hazards model was used to further assess the relationship between work-up completion and travel distance to the screening provider and mammography facility. RESULTS: Among 1,073 women, there was significant difference in time to completion of abnormal mammogram work-up by race; African American women had longer time to completion compared to European American women. Accounting for race, age, previous mammograms, income, and insurance status, women who lived closest to their diagnosing mammography facility were more likely to complete their work-up compared to those who lived the farthest (HR = 1.41; 95% CI = 1.00-1.80). CONCLUSIONS: Distance to the diagnosing mammography facility may play a role on the completion of abnormal mammogram work-up.
PURPOSE: Although many studies have examined factors in predicting incomplete and delay in abnormal mammogram follow-up, few have used geospatial methods to examine these factors. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between travel distance to health facilities and completion of abnormal mammogram follow-up among disadvantaged women in South Carolina. METHODS:Women participating in South Carolina's Best Chance Network between 1996 and 2009 with abnormal mammogram were included in the study. Kaplan-Meier survival was used to describe the probability of work-up completion after abnormal mammogram among different distance categories, and Cox proportional hazards model was used to further assess the relationship between work-up completion and travel distance to the screening provider and mammography facility. RESULTS: Among 1,073 women, there was significant difference in time to completion of abnormal mammogram work-up by race; African American women had longer time to completion compared to European American women. Accounting for race, age, previous mammograms, income, and insurance status, women who lived closest to their diagnosing mammography facility were more likely to complete their work-up compared to those who lived the farthest (HR = 1.41; 95% CI = 1.00-1.80). CONCLUSIONS: Distance to the diagnosing mammography facility may play a role on the completion of abnormal mammogram work-up.
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