Title
Pathways to Colonoscopy in the South: Seeds of Health Disparities
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-2015
Department 1
Health Sciences
Abstract
Objectives. We aimed to highlight sociodemographic differences in how patients access colonoscopy.
Methods. We invited all eligible patients (n = 2500) from 2 academy-affiliated colonoscopy centers in Alachua County, Florida (1 free standing, 1 hospital based), to participate in a precolonoscopy survey (September 2011–October 2013); patients agreeing to participate (n = 1841, response rate = 73.6%) received a $5.00 gift card.
Results. We found sociodemographic differences in referral pathway, costs, and reasons associated with obtaining the procedure. Patients with the ideal pathway (referred by their regular doctor for age-appropriate screening) were more likely to be Black (compared with other minorities), male, high income, employed, and older. Having the colonoscopy because of symptoms was associated with being female, younger, and having lower income. We found significant differences for 1 previously underestimated barrier, having a spouse to accompany the patient to the procedure.
Conclusions. Patients’ facilitators and barriers to colonoscopy differed by sociodemographics in our study, which implies that interventions based on a single facilitator will not be effective for all subgroups of a population.
DOI
10.2105/AJPH.2014.302347
Recommended Citation
Curbow, Barbara A., Amy B. Dailey, Evelyn C. King-Marshall, Tracy E. Barnett, Jessica R. Schumacher, Shahnaz Sultan, and Thomas J. George Jr.. "Pathways to Colonoscopy in the South: Seeds of Health Disparities." American Journal of Public Health 105.4 (April 2015), e103-e111.
Comments
Original version is available from the publisher, American Public Health Association.