mahin amini

Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers. Numerous studies have shown the positive effect of using sunscreen creams in preventing skin cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine the inequality in the use of sunscreen cream.

This cross-sectional study was conducted among adults in Kermanshah city. Data was collected using questionnaire by interview. Concentration index and curve were used to quantify and analyze inequality in sunscreen use. The results of adjusted odds ratio and decomposition analysis for sunscreen use were also estimated.

14.39% used sunscreen. The ratio of use in men was 5.65% and in women was 21.72%. The concentration index for sunscreen use (P<0.001) was 0.344, which indicates the greater concentration of sunscreen use among the rich. The rich groups are 3.72 times more likely to use sunscreen than the poor, and people in the middle class are also 1.48 times more likely to use sunscreen. The highest share of participation in the creation of inequality in sunscreen consumption was achieved by the socio-economic status variable with 61.26%, education level with 13.23% and age with 13.02%.

The focus of health promotion interventions should target groups with low socio-economic status. Men and less educated people should be prioritized in the development and implementation of interventions.

Cervical cancer is a significant public health concern and has caused numerous unfortunate deaths. The Pap smear (PS) test is a widely-recognized and affordable screening technique used to detect cervical cancer at an early stage.

This study aimed to investigate the inequality in cervical cancer screening uptake.

This cross-sectional research was conducted on 774 married 30–37 women selected by multi-stage cluster sampling. They were living in Kermanshah City, Iran, in 2019. Their socioeconomic status was evaluated using the principal component analysis (PCA) and was shown by the index and curve of concentration of socioeconomic inequality in PS. The obtained data were analyzed using the chi-square, t-test, logistic regression, and compensation statistical tests.

The mean age of participants was 45.42±10.66 years. About 43.9% of women had education levels under a diploma. Also, 89.3% of women were married, and 58.1% had already done a PS test at least once. In addition, 26.5% of women had a regular PS test uptake. The concentration index for PS test uptake was 0.062 (P=0.115). Education level (OR=1.181, 95% CI; 1.022, 1.364, P=0.024) and a positive family history of cervical cancer (OR=3.591, 95% CI; 1.811, 7.120, P=0.001) had significant impacts on regular PS uptake.

A person’s level of education and family history of cervical cancer were the most critical factors for getting regular PS test uptake. Furthermore, the concentration index showed that the frequency of PS test uptake was slightly higher in the rich group. Focusing interventions on less educated and disadvantaged women may provide useful insights to promote PS test uptake, thereby reducing inequalities. Moreover, using fear appeal strategies to promote PS test uptake may be beneficial.

Bladder cancer is one of the most common malignancies of the urinary system. An important source of health disparities is related to early cancer detection strategies. The present study aimed to determine the inequality in bladder cancer screening uptake.

The current cross-sectional study was conducted on 1,760 subjects from the urban population over 30 in Kermanshah. The adjusted odds ratio was used to show the relationship between bladder cancer screening uptake and different subgroups. The concentration index and concentration curve were used to quantify and analyze inequality in bladder cancer screening uptake.

The history of bladder cancer screening uptake was 1.02% (1.18% in men and 0.88% in women). The mean age of bladder cancer screening uptake was 56.18 years (standard deviation 12.60 years). The highest percentage of bladder cancer diagnostic test uptake pertained to participants who had a positive family history of bladder cancer (23.33%). The concentration index for bladder cancer screening uptake was estimated at 0.238 (P<0.073). The adjusted odds ratio demonstrated that the wealthy group had 10.25 times as many bladder cancer screening uptake as the poor participants.

The odds ratio of bladder cancer screening uptake in the rich group was more than 10 times that of the participants in the poor group. Health resources should be directed to help reduce disparities and provide services to those most in need.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Iranian women. Numerous studies have shown the positive effect of screening behaviors in reducing breast cancer mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the level of inequality in breast cancer screening tests uptake (breast self-exam (BSE), clinical breast exam (CBE), and mammography) in western Iran.

This cross-sectional study was performed among 907 women aged 30 and older in Kermanshah. Data were collected using a questionnaire through interviews. The concentration index and concentration curve were used to quantify and analyze inequality in breast cancer screening (SBE, CBE, and mammography). Crude and adjusted odds ratios were used to assess the relationship of each of the three screening behaviors with different subgroups.

The history of SBE, CBE, and mammography were 28.22%, 18.85%, and 17.75%, respectively. The concentration curve was calculated to be 0.268 (P < 0.001) for SBE, 0.126 (P < 0.001) for CBE, and 0.066 (P = 0.166) for mammography.

The focus of health promotion interventions should be on groups of low socioeconomic status. The development of public awareness-raising campaigns, especially for less educated women, can lead to favorable results in reducing inequality in breast cancer screening test uptake.