Population inquiry regarding mammography in postmenopausal women in southern Brazil

This study was conducted to analyze the prevalence of non-performance of mammography, and associated factors, among postmenopausal women. This analytical, exploratory, cross-sectional study, of a domicile population inquiry type, was performed in the municipality of Maringa, Parana, Brazil. A total of 456 women were interviewed, aged 45 to 69 years, who presented with natural menopause and cessation of menstruation for at least twelve months. Statistical associations were found between the non-performance of mammography and schooling of less than seven years, paid employment, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, the non-use of hormone replacement therapy, not having consulted a doctor in the previous year, not having consulted a gynecologist, lacking a family history of breast cancer, not having performed the Papanicolaou test, not having performed clinical breast examination, and not having difficult access to health services. After logistic regression analysis, not performing mammography was associated with reports of a fair or bad health status. The study data revealed factors "responsible" for the non-performance of mammography, and the results should contributing to improvement/enhancement of healthy behaviour of Brazilian women in the post-menopausal phase.