Employment Condition Modifies the Using Patterns of Screening Mammography in Workers Insured by the Mexican Government: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND

Our main aim was to investigate whether the employment condition modifies the use patterns of the screening mammography in workers insured by the Mexican government (Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado, ISSSTE; medical facilities of the Mexican government).

METHODS

A case-control study age-matched was done in women insured by the Mexican government, aged 40-69 years, attending a general hospital (ISSSTE). All subjects were submitted to an interview and anthropometric data registry. In the interview were obtained: demographic data, of schooling, breast cancer family history, and reproductive history; besides, mammography history during the past 2 years and place of performance (in or outside of the ISSSTE). Finally, it was evaluated whether the mammography use in the ISSSTE was related to their employment condition: Active workers (cases) vs. dependents or retired workers (controls).

RESULTS

The sample was of 252 women: 126 cases and 126 controls. Cases obtained less mammograms in the ISSSTE (P = 0.03, odds ratio = 0.54, 95% confidence interval, CI 0.30-0.96), than their dependents or the retired workers. Furthermore, cases with high education (university or higher) also obtained fewer mammograms in the ISSSTE (P = 0.03, odds ratio = 0.26, 95% CI 0.05-0.93).

CONCLUSIONS

Women active workers with higher education are obtaining less screening mammograms in the ISSSTE than their dependents or the retired workers.