Abstract
Introduction:
Depression is reported as a risk factor for lack of mammography screening. The current study aims at investigating an association between depression and use of mammogram screening among elderly Canadian women.
Method:
This population-based, cross-sectional study utilized the Canadian Community Health Database (CCHS).The samples were from 10 provinces across Canada including 22,662 women aged 40 and above who answered questions on depression, mammography, socio-demographic status, and health-care utilization. The Short-Form of The Composite International Diagnostic Interview identified women with depression; depressed women were defined as those with score ≥ 5.
Results:
Following adjustment for confounders, the odds of reported mammogram were 1.3 (95%CI 1.2-1.5) for depressed compared to non-depressed women. Age was an effect modifier in this relationship between utilizing mammography screening and depression. Moreover, the odds of reported mammography were the highest for 60-69 year old depressed women (AOR 2.9, 95%CI 0.9-8.6), compared with their counterparts in the youngest age group (40-49 years). Having a regular family doctor was strongly associated with reported mammography (OR 2.2, 95%CI 1.9-2.5).
Conclusions:
Depression among elderly women is positively associated with utilization of mammography screening. Longitudinal studies are needed to explore the effect of age as an effect modifier. Further studies can investigate the impact of other competing factors such as anxiety. Reasons for the increased utilization of mammography screening among elderly women should further be explored.
Citation
Jahanfar S. Is Depression A Barrier or Opening for Mammography? A Canadian Community Health Survey. SM J Gynecol Obstet. 2017; 3(1): 1017.