[Prevalence of non-utilization of mammography and associated factors in elderly women]

This study analyzes the prevalence of non-utilization of mammography among older women, according to socio-demographic variables, health status, and use of preventive health services. This was a cross-sectional study including women 60 years or older. We interviewed 4,621 women 60 to 106 years of age; the majority were widows (51.8%) and had little or no schooling (53.8%). Most (89%) reported health problems, and 66.4% used private medical care. Prevalence of self-reported mammography was 72.1%. Gynecological visits (PR = 2.39; 95%CI: 2.04-2.80), Pap smear (PR = 3.24; 95%CI: 2.89-3.63), years of schooling (PR = 1.07; 95%CI: 1.02-1.12), health care insurance (PR = 1.16; 95%CI: 1.11-1.20), physician visits (PR = 1.23; 95%CI: 1.11-1.37), age (PR = 1.12; 95%CI: 1.08-1.17), marital status (PR = 1.05; 95%CI: 1.00-1.09), and barriers to health services (PR = 0.94; 95%CI: 0.89-0.98) were also associated with non-utilization of mammography. These associations may be partially explained by lack of knowledge, poor access to public health services, and cultural factors related to the aging process and reproductive incapacity.