The Prevalence and Associated Factors of Cancer Screening Uptake Among a National Population-Based Sample of Adults in Marshall Islands

Supa Pengpid; Chao Zhang; Karl Peltzer

doi:10.1177/1073274821997497

The Prevalence and Associated Factors of Cancer Screening Uptake Among a National Population-Based Sample of Adults in Marshall Islands

Cancer Control. 2021 Jan-Dec:28:1073274821997497. doi: 10.1177/1073274821997497.

Authors

Supa Pengpid¹, Chao Zhang^{2

3}, Karl Peltzer⁴

Affiliations

¹ ASEAN Institute for Health Development, 26685Mahidol University, Salaya, Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.
² Department of Research Administration and Development, University of Limpopo, Turfloop, South Africa.
³ Department of Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors, 74675Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.
⁴ Department of Psychology, 37702University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.

Abstract

Background: The study aimed to estimate the prevalence and associated factors of cancer screening among men and women in the general population in Marshall Islands.

Methods: The national cross-sectional sub-study population consisted of 2,813 persons aged 21-75 years (Median = 37.4 years) from the "2017/2018 Marshall Islands STEPS survey". Information about cancer screening uptake included Pap smear or Vaginal Inspection with Acetic Acid (=VIA), clinical breast examination, mammography, faecal occult blood test (FOBT), and colonoscopy.

Results: The prevalence of past 2 years mammography screening was 21.7% among women aged 50-74 years, past year CBE 15.9% among women aged 40 years and older, past 3 years Pap smear or VIA 32.6% among women 21-65 years, past year FOBT 21.8% among women and 22.3% among men aged 50-75 years, and past 10 years colonoscopy 9.1% among women and 7.3% among men aged 50-75 years. In adjusted logistic regression, cholesterol screening (AOR: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.07-3.41) was associated with past 2 years mammography screening among women aged 50-74 years. Blood pressure screening (AOR: 2.39, 95% CI: 1.71-3.35), glucose screening (AOR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.13-2.23), dental visit in the past year (AOR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.17, 1.96), binge drinking (AOR: 1.88, 95% CI: 1.07-3.30), and 2-3 servings of fruit and vegetable consumption a day (AOR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.03-1.95) were positively and high physical activity (30 days a month) (AOR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.41-0.76) was negatively associated with Pap smear or VIA screening among women aged 21-65 years. Higher education (AOR: 2.58, 95% CI: 1.02-6.58), and cholesterol screening (AOR: 2.87, 95% CI: 1.48-5.59), were positively and current smoking (AOR: 0.09, 95% CI: 0.01-0.65) was negatively associated with past 10 years colonoscopy uptake among 50-75 year-olds.

Conclusion: The study showed a low cancer screening uptake, and several factors were identified that can assist in promoting cancer screening in Marshall Islands.

Keywords: Marshall islands; cancer screening; determinants; men; women.

MeSH terms

Adult
Aged
Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis*
Colonic Neoplasms / diagnosis*
Cross-Sectional Studies
Early Detection of Cancer / statistics & numerical data*
Female
Humans
Male
Micronesia
Middle Aged
Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / diagnosis*
Young Adult