Sociodemographic and lifestyle determinants of non-attendance for cervical cancer screening in Lithuania, 2006-2014

In 2004, Lithuania started the Nationwide Cervical Cancer Screening Programme. The aim of the study was to estimate the trend in the uptake of cervical cancer (CC) screening in Lithuania during 2006-2014 and to identify sociodemographic and lifestyle factors associated with non-attendance for screening.

Cross-sectional studies.

The data of 4248 women aged 25-60 years who participated in population-based cross-sectional surveys of Lithuanian Health Behaviour Monitoring were analysed. The postal surveys of independent random samples were conducted every second year. Participation in screening was determined by asking women whether they have had a Pap smear test within the last 3 years. Associations of non-attendance with sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle factors were assessed by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

The proportion of women who reported taking a test for CC within 3 years was continuously increasing from 60.0% in 2006 to 74.2% in 2014. The likelihood of not being screened was lower among older as compared to younger women (odds ratio=0.70; 95% confidence interval = 0.61-0.82). Non-attendance was associated with lower education, being single, having rare contacts with a doctor, low physical activity, and obesity. In addition, older women who smoked and consumed alcohol at least once a week were more likely to have never been screened.

Established social and behavioural determinants of non-attendance for CC screening should be used for optimising CC prevention in Lithuania. The implementation of organised screening programme using innovative screening methods might increase attendance and reduce inequalities.