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Using record linkage to monitor equity and variation in screening programmes
Dermot O'Reilly1, Heather Kinnear, Michael Rosato
1Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
BMC Medical Research Methodology
|April 27, 2012
Summary
Record linkage of breast screening data to Census information identified lower uptake among non-married women and those in the lowest social class. This method offers a robust way to study screening attendance variations.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Traditional survey methods for investigating breast screening uptake have significant limitations.
- Record linkage between Census and health services data offers a more robust alternative.
- Understanding demographic and socio-economic factors influencing screening attendance is crucial for public health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify demographic and socio-economic factors associated with breast screening uptake.
- To leverage record linkage for a more comprehensive analysis of screening attendance.
Main Methods:
- A record linkage study combining 2001 Census data from the Northern Ireland Longitudinal Study (NILS) with National Breast Screening System data.
- A cohort of 37,059 women aged 48-64 was identified, with screening histories linked to their Census records.
- Analysis utilized individual-level data, exceeding the scale of previous survey-based studies.
Main Results:
- Record linkage enabled analysis of nearly 40,000 individuals' screening histories.
- Lower breast screening uptake was observed among non-married women and those in the lowest social class (OR 0.74; 95%CI 0.66, 0.82).
- Lower screening uptake in urban areas was not explained by population composition, suggesting potential organizational issues.
Conclusions:
- Linking breast screening data with Census-based longitudinal studies is an efficient method to enhance evidence on screening uptake variations.
- This approach provides a powerful tool for identifying disparities and informing targeted public health interventions within the UK.
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