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

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.