Social health determinants associated with mammography performance according to the 2013 and 2019 National Health Survey.

Abstract

Mammography is one of the main methods available for breast cancer screening in Brazil. However, differences in timely access and performance of the exam can be highlighted based on social determinants of health, considered relevant due to their influence on the health situation of a population. Thus, the present study aimed to identify the social determinants of health associated with access to and performance of mammography in Brazilian women. Cross-sectional and analytical study, based on secondary data from the National Health Survey (NHS) from 2013 and 2019 in Brazil. The main determinants of women who did not take the exam during the evaluated period were: aged 65 to 69 years, mixed race and black, living with more than three people, with incomplete primary education, in the 1st quintile of socioeconomic income, without health insurance, registered with the Family Health Strategy (FHS), and residents of the North and Northeast regions. There was a significant improvement in access to mammography exams in all states; however, structural factors, such as economic income, color, level of education, and age group were evident in why mammograms were not performed.