Deprived areas and attendance to screening of cervix uteri cancer in a French region

Objectives: To examine the relationship between deprivation and attendance to cervical cancer screening. Methods: Three deprivation indices (Carstairs, UnderPrivileged Area, Depart ment of Environment) were calculated for women aged 25-65 attending a 1993- 95 cervical cancer screening program (Doubs "departement", France), with 59 4 municipalities as statistical units. Weighted multivariate linear regress ions were performed, with attendance rate as the dependent variable, and th e three deprivation indices in turn as independent variables along with wom en's mean age, average net income, density of (para)medical amenities, dens ity of population and proportion of women. Results: Per municipality women were numbered 1-29,822 (mean 210). In multi variate models, the three deprivation indices were negatively linked to att endance rate, and so were mean age of women and density of population. Aver age net income, proportion of women, and density of (para)medical amenities (nurses, laboratories, ambulances, physicians, dentists) were positively a ssociated with attendance rate. Conclusions: In early stages, cervical cancer screening programs should acc ount for populations living in deprived areas, through focused health promo tion efforts and easier access to screening facilities.