LATEBREAKER
Cancer
Is there an association between Christian Religious Affiliation and Likelihood to Adhere to Recommended Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines? Brittany Krenek* Brittany Krenek Idara Akpan Rohit Balasundaram Erika Thompson Justin Luningham
Purpose: Cervical cancer remains a United States (US) public health concern. The United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends cervical cancer screenings (CCS) for individuals aged 21-65 –year-olds with a cervix; 74.2% adhere. Social and cultural-religious factors influence CCS adherence; however, little is known about adherence across Christian denominations. This study explored associations between CCS adherence and religious denomination affiliation, controlling for sociodemographic. Method: Women with a cervix 21-49 years old (n = 4561) were surveyed for USPSTF CCS adherence from the National Survey of Family Growth (2017-2019). Likelihood of adherence by Christian denomination vs. no religious affiliation was examined with weighted multivariable logistic regression, controlling for race/ethnicity, education, and age. Results: Overall, 56.3% of participants adhered. Adherence rates across Christian denominations were 65.8% among Black Protestants, 59.0% among Mainline Protestants, 53.2% among Catholics, 49.6% among Evangelical Protestants, 49.3% among other Religion, and 58.7% for no religious affiliation. Compared to no religious affiliation, evangelical Protestants and non-Christian religions had lower odds of adherence (OR=0.80, 95%CI [0.66, 0.98] and OR=0.67, 95%CI [0.52,0.86], respectively). Non-Hispanic Black women were more likely to adhere than non-Hispanic White women (OR = 1.96, CI [1.52, 2.53]). Women aged 30 or older were less likely to adhere than 21–29-year-olds (OR = 0.19, CI [0.16, 0.22]). No significant association was found between adherence and educational level. Conclusion: An association between adhering to CCS guidelines and religious denomination, accounting for sociodemographic, was indicated. Evangelic Protestants or non-Christian religions were less likely to adhere. Additional studies should further evaluate associations and advise culturally tailored campaigns to reduce CCS stigmas and increase overall adherence.