Lifestyle and health-related predictors of cervical cancer screening attendance in a Swiss population-based study.

BACKGROUND

Since the implementation of cervical cancer (CC) screening, incidence and mortality rates have decreased worldwide. Little is known about lifestyle and health-related predictors of cervical cancer screening attendance in Switzerland. Our aim was to examine the relationship between lifestyle and health-related factors and the attendance to CC screening in Switzerland.

METHODS

We analyzed data of 20-69 years old women (n=7319) of the Swiss Health Survey (SHS) 2012. Lifestyle factors included body mass index, smoking status, alcohol consumption, physical activity and attention to diet. Health-related factors of interest were diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol levels, chronic diseases, self-perceived health, and psychological distress. We performed multivariable logistic regression analyses with the dichotomized CC screening status as outcome measure and adjusted for demographic factors.

RESULTS

Obesity, low physical activity, and not paying attention to diet were statistically significantly associated with lower CC screening participation. High cholesterol levels and history of chronic diseases were statistically significantly positively associated with screening participation.

CONCLUSION

Being obese, physically inactive and non-attention to diet are risk factors for CC screening attendance. These findings are of importance for improving the CC screening practices of low-user groups.