Abstract
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
A population's acceptance of a screening programme is reflected by its participation. Participation can be measured by cross-section, in an individual screening round, or by cumulative examination rate, which covers participation in numerous rounds at a pre-specified frequency. To establish an informed overview of programme performance, the relationship between these measures was analysed.
METHODS:
The Central Population Register (CPR) of Denmark was used to define the total population. The data sources were mammography screening programmes in Copenhagen (1991-2008) and Funen (1993-2008) and participation and coverage rates were calculated according to European guidelines. Long-term adherence was defined as the cumulative examination rate.
RESULTS:
The participation rates were 71% in Copenhagen and 91% in Funen. The cumulative examination rates across all invitation rounds were between 21 and 24% lower than the average participation rates.
CONCLUSIONS:
If the cumulative examination rate across all, or the majority of, invitation rounds is substantially lower than the average participation rate it may suggest that standard cross-sectional performance indicators overestimate the level of protection provided to the women targeted by the programme. Consequently, it may prove valuable to include cumulative examination rate as a performance indicator of mammography screening.
BACKGROUND:
A population's acceptance of a screening programme is reflected by its participation. Participation can be measured by cross-section, in an individual screening round, or by cumulative examination rate, which covers participation in numerous rounds at a pre-specified frequency. To establish an informed overview of programme performance, the relationship between these measures was analysed.
METHODS:
The Central Population Register (CPR) of Denmark was used to define the total population. The data sources were mammography screening programmes in Copenhagen (1991-2008) and Funen (1993-2008) and participation and coverage rates were calculated according to European guidelines. Long-term adherence was defined as the cumulative examination rate.
RESULTS:
The participation rates were 71% in Copenhagen and 91% in Funen. The cumulative examination rates across all invitation rounds were between 21 and 24% lower than the average participation rates.
CONCLUSIONS:
If the cumulative examination rate across all, or the majority of, invitation rounds is substantially lower than the average participation rate it may suggest that standard cross-sectional performance indicators overestimate the level of protection provided to the women targeted by the programme. Consequently, it may prove valuable to include cumulative examination rate as a performance indicator of mammography screening.
Originalsprog | Engelsk |
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Tidsskrift | Journal of Public Health |
Vol/bind | 34 |
Udgave nummer | 2 |
Sider (fra-til) | 272-278 |
Antal sider | 7 |
ISSN | 1741-3842 |
DOI | |
Status | Udgivet - jun. 2012 |
Udgivet eksternt | Ja |