Socioeconomic Inequalities in Uptake of Breast Cancer Screening among Saudi Women: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of a National Survey

Mohammed Khaled Al-Hanawi, Rubayyat Hashmi, Sarh Almubark, Ameerah M. N. Qattan and Mohammad Habibullah Pulok
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Mohammed Khaled Al-Hanawi: Department of Health Services and Hospital Administration, Faculty of Economics and Administration, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 80200, Saudi Arabia
Rubayyat Hashmi: School of Commerce, Centre for Health, Informatics and Economic Research, Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia
Sarh Almubark: Department of Health Services and Hospital Administration, Faculty of Economics and Administration, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 80200, Saudi Arabia
Ameerah M. N. Qattan: Department of Health Services and Hospital Administration, Faculty of Economics and Administration, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 80200, Saudi Arabia
Mohammad Habibullah Pulok: Geriatric Medicine Research (GMR), Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, NS B3H 2E1, Canada

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 6, 1-13

Abstract: Timely and adequate screening for breast cancer could improve health outcomes and reduce health costs. However, the utilization of free breast cancer screening services among Saudi women is very low. This study aims to investigate socioeconomic inequalities in breast cancer screening among Saudi women. The data of this study were extracted from the nationally representative Saudi Health Interview Survey, conducted in 2013; the study included 2786 Saudi women. Multivariate logistic regression, the concentration curve, and the concentration index were used to examine, illustrate, and quantify income- and education-related inequalities in three outcomes: Knowledge about self-breast examination (SBE), clinical breast examination (CBE) received in the last year, and mammography, that has ever been previously carried out. Results showed a marked socioeconomic gradient in breast cancer screening services. The concentration index by income was 0.229 (SBE), 0.171 (CBE), and 0.163 (mammography). The concentration index by education was 0.292 (SBE), 0.149 (CBE), and 0.138 (mammography). Therefore, knowledge about breast cancer screening, and the utilization of screening services, were more concentrated among richer and better-educated women. Poorer and less educated women had less knowledge about self-breast examination, and had considerably less adherence to clinical breast examination and mammography. The findings are helpful for policy makers to devise and implement strategies to promote equity in breast cancer screening among Saudi women.

Keywords: breast cancer; inequality; screening; Saudi Arabia; concentration curve; concentration index (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:6:p:2056-:d:334689

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