Reproducibility of self-reported pap test utilization in middle-aged African-American women

Catherine Hoyo, Truls Ostbye, Celette S. Skinner, Kimberly S H Yarnall, Jaspreet Chowdhary

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Both clinicians who perform Pap tests and prescribe re-screens and public health officials, who periodically evaluate the success of Pap test screening programs, often depend on women to self-report their most recent Pap test. However, reliability of self-reported Pap test utilization is putatively low, and even lower in African-American women compared to Whites. Between 2001 and 2002, Pap test screening histories were obtained from 144 African-American women, aged 45 to 64 years at two in-person interviews conducted three to six weeks apart. Reproducibility of self-reported Pap test was substantial (kappa=0.64; 95% confidence interval: .46-.82), with the highest agreement among women with greater income and educational attainment, and those who were younger. This level of reproducibility is likely sufficient both to evaluate the population coverage of public health screening programs and for prescribing re-screens among younger African-American women and those of higher income and education. Not using self-reports to base clinic decisions may still be prudent among those with less education.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)84-89
Number of pages6
JournalEthnicity and Disease
Volume15
Issue number1
StatePublished - Dec 2005

Keywords

  • African American
  • Cancer screening
  • Cervical cancer
  • Reproducibility
  • Women

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Epidemiology

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