Socioeconomic characteristics, housing conditions and criminal offences among women with cervical neoplasia.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between cervical neoplasia and socioeconomic factors, housing conditions and criminal offences.

DESIGN

Longitudinal observational study.

SETTING

Falun county hospital, Sweden.

POPULATION: A total of 1331 women diagnosed with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia I-III or cervical cancer between 1967 and 1978 were compared with 2604 age-matched controls from the same geographical area in Sweden.

METHODS

The Population and Housing Censuses were used for information about civil status, education, housing conditions, employment and socioeconomic status. The Swedish Register of Conviction Decisions was used to access information on criminal offences.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Socioeconomic status, housing conditions, criminal offences.

RESULTS

Women with cervical neoplasia had a lower socioeconomic status and a lower educational level than their age-matched controls. They were more often divorced and did not own their home as often as controls. A significant association with criminal offences was observed, and it persisted after adjustment for socioeconomic status. Differences in socioeconomic factors between women with cervical neoplasia and their controls had not diminished in the younger, compared with the older, part of the study population.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that women with cervical neoplasia belong to a socioeconomically disadvantaged group. Furthermore, the study provides information about an association with criminal offences.