A C Klassen1, D D Celentano, C S Weisman. 1. Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Hygiene and Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to examine the efficacy of a Maryland law requiring Pap testing to be offered during hospital admissions. "In-reach" strategies emphasize cancer screening within existing health care contacts (such as inpatient stays) rather than additional visits solely for screening. METHODS: Data from a 1986 telephone survey of Maryland women were used to examine the effect of hospitalization on self-reported Pap testing in a 3-year period. The effect of hospitalization on screening was examined by age and income to assess whether inpatient screening was more prevalent among certain subgroups of women. RESULTS: For the group as a whole, the odds of Pap screening did not vary with hospitalization. However, among women aged 45 to 54 years with annual household incomes over $20,000, hospitalized women were more likely than nonhospitalized women to report recent Pap tests. For low-income women aged 75 years and older, hospitalization actually decreased the likelihood of reporting Pap tests. CONCLUSIONS: Despite legislation, inpatient cervical cancer screening appears to mirror outpatient patterns, leaving elderly and low-income women unscreened. Methods for increasing inpatient Pap testing for underscreened women are discussed.
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to examine the efficacy of a Maryland law requiring Pap testing to be offered during hospital admissions. "In-reach" strategies emphasize cancer screening within existing health care contacts (such as inpatient stays) rather than additional visits solely for screening. METHODS: Data from a 1986 telephone survey of Maryland women were used to examine the effect of hospitalization on self-reported Pap testing in a 3-year period. The effect of hospitalization on screening was examined by age and income to assess whether inpatient screening was more prevalent among certain subgroups of women. RESULTS: For the group as a whole, the odds of Pap screening did not vary with hospitalization. However, among women aged 45 to 54 years with annual household incomes over $20,000, hospitalized women were more likely than nonhospitalized women to report recent Pap tests. For low-income women aged 75 years and older, hospitalization actually decreased the likelihood of reporting Pap tests. CONCLUSIONS: Despite legislation, inpatient cervical cancer screening appears to mirror outpatient patterns, leaving elderly and low-income women unscreened. Methods for increasing inpatient Pap testing for underscreened women are discussed.
Authors: Cornelia L Trimble; Lynn A Richards; Barbara Wilgus-Wegweiser; Karen Plowden; Dorothy L Rosenthal; Ann Klassen Journal: Obstet Gynecol Date: 2004-02 Impact factor: 7.661