RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Early detection through screening is the best method to reduce death due to breast cancer. It has been shown, having knowledge and generating positive attitudes, influences the decision of women to participate in the screening programs. The aim of this study was to identify the factors associated with breast cancer screening (BCS) and with an intention to have screening among women in Tehran, Iran. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out from January to July 2011, among women who had attended to primary health-care centers in West Tehran using multi-stage sampling method. We invited 1,240 women sequentially to complete a self-administered survey questionnaire at the beginning of their visit; and 1,012 (82%) completed the survey. The questionnaire included, items drawn from the Preventive Health Model that assess socio-demographic background and perceptions about BCS. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with screening and intention to do screening in the future. RESULTS: The mean age of subjects was 38.2 years. Women who perceived more screening efficacy (odd ratio [OR] =1.63; confidence interval [CI] 95%: 1.12-2.37) and fewer performance barriers (OR = 0.82; CI 95%: 0.68-0.97) were more likely to perform clinical breast exam in the future. The women who reported higher clinical breast exam self-efficacy (OR = 1.82; CI 95%: 1.39-2.37), mammography self-efficacy (OR = 1.31; CI 95%: 1.04-1.65), screening efficacy (OR = 1.53; CI 95%: 1.18-1.97), and family influence (OR = 1.27; CI 95%: 1.05-1.54), and those who reported fewer screening performance barriers (OR = 0.56; CI 95%: 0.48-0.67) were more likely to decide for carried out mammography in the future. Most respondents indicated that they intended to do clinical breast exam and mammography in the future (75.8% and 72.1% respectively). About 65% of women reported they would do both. CONCLUSIONS: We found that women's intention to do BCS was very high and a comprehensive national program is needed to guide their intention. Among different demographic factors, the impact of education level on doing BCS was significant.
RESUMO
In menopause, changes in body fat distribution lead to increasing risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders. The aim of this study was to assess the association of adiposity using the conicity index (CI), body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) with cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidaemia). The sample of this cross-sectional study was collected from June to October 2010 and 165 consecutive menopausal women who had attended the Health and Treatment Centre and Endocrine Research Centre of Firoozgar Hospital in Tehran, Iran were assessed. Age, weight, height, WC, waist-hip ratio (WHR), CI and fat mass were measured. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), fasting blood glucose, insulin, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and total cholesterol (TC) levels were also determined. All statistical analyses were performed by SPSS version 17 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA). Results showed that BMI was positively and significantly associated with SBP (r = 0.21; p = 0.009). WC was positively and significantly correlated with SBP (r = 0.26; p = 0.02) and DBP (r = 0.16; p = 0.05). WHR was also significantly and positively associated with SBP (r = 0.29; p = 0.001). Age and WC were associated with CI quartiles at the 0.05 significance level. The correlation of CI quartiles with SBP and weight were at the 0.01 significance level. We showed a significant association of WC with SBP and DBP, and that BMI could be an important determining factor of SBP. For assessing the association between CI and cardiovascular risk factors, future studies with larger sample sizes are recommended.
