Urbanicity and Mammography Utilization: How Living in an Urban or Rural Area Affects Mammography Screening Utilization Among Women in the United States

Abstract

Ylitalo, Kelly R., Urbanicity and Mammography Utilization: How Living in an Urban or Rural Area Affects Mammography Screening Utilization among Women in the United States. Master of Public Health (Epidemiology), May 2008, 67 pp., 7 tables, 1 figure, references. Mammography is a widely used screening tool that can help prevent breast cancer mortality, yet utilization is not consistent. We utilized the 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data to evaluate differences in mammography screening practices by urbanicity (urban vs. rural residence). Chi-square analyses, logistic regression, and propensity score matching were utilized to determine the association between urbanicity and mammography compared to women who lived in rural areas, even after controlling for individual variables. Geographic access to health care as represented by individual urban or rural residence may contribute to mammography screening practices in the United States.