Factors related to cervical cancer screening among women of childrearing age: a cross-sectional study of a nationally representative sample in Japan.

backgroundThis study aimed to determine the factors related to undergoing cervical cancer screening among Japanese women of childrearing age by focusing on the presence or absence of children.

methodsThis was a cross-sectional study of a nationally representative sample based on the Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions in Japan. Data for women aged 20-39 were selected, and those whose number of children was unknown, whose youngest child was under 2 years or of unknown age, who were either hospitalized or institutionalized, and who were pregnant were excluded. To determine the factors related to undergoing cervical cancer screening, multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed on the following variables: status of cervical cancer screening, age, number of children, marital status, educational level, cohabitation with parents, employment status, subjective health awareness, hospital use, health check-ups, subjective symptoms of health, and interaction of women's age and number of children.

resultsOf the 49,217 women in the analyses, 19,545 (39.7%) underwent cervical cancer screening within the last 2 years. Undergoing cervical cancer screening increased with advancing age. On comparing women with and without children in the same generation, screening rates among women with children were higher than those without children in their early 20s, the same in their late 20s, and lower in their 30s. Receiving health check-ups, higher education, subjective symptoms, and hospital use increased participation in cervical cancer screening.

conclusionsAlthough women of childrearing age tended to undergo cervical cancer screening with advancing age, the increase tended to be restrained among mothers.