The influence of marital status and partner concordance on participation in colorectal cancer screening

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Background: Colorectal cancer screening program using a fecal immunochemical test aims to reduce morbidity and mortality through early detection. Although screening participation is free-of-charge, almost 40% of the invited individuals choose not to participate. To bring new insight into how non-participation can be identified and targeted, we examined the association between marital status and screening participation; with a focus on partner concordance in participation and sex differences. Methods: This nationwide cross-sectional study included all Danish citizens aged 50-74 years, who were invited to colorectal cancer screening between 2014 and 2017. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate odds ratio (OR) of participation while adjusting for sociodemographic variables. Results: A total of 1 909 662 individuals were included in the analysis of which 62.7% participated in the screening program. Participation was highest among women. Stratified by marital status, screening participation was markedly lower in widowed (61.5%), divorced (54.8%) and single (47.3%), while participation reached 68.4% in married individuals. This corresponded to ORs of 0.59 (95% CI 0.58-0.59) for widowed, 0.56 (95% CI 0.55-0.56) for divorced and 0.47 (95% CI 0.47-0.48) for single, compared to married individuals. Individuals married to a participating partner were five times more likely to participate than married individuals with a non-participating partner, regardless of gender. Conclusions: Marital status was strongly associated with participation in colorectal cancer screening, and participation was even higher in married individuals with a participating partner. Future efforts to increase participation in colorectal cancer screening could potentially benefit from considering the role of partner concordance.

Original languageEnglish
JournalEuropean Journal of Public Health
Volume31
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)340-346
Number of pages7
ISSN1101-1262
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

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© 2020 The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Public Health Association. All rights reserved.

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