Abstract

PALACIO-MEJIA, Lina Sofía; RANGEL-GOMEZ, Gudelia; HERNANDEZ-AVILA, Mauricio  and  LAZCANO-PONCE, Eduardo. Cervical cancer, a disease of poverty: mortality differences between urban and rural areas in Mexico. Salud pública Méx [online]. 2003, vol.45, suppl.3, pp.315-325. ISSN 0036-3634.

OBJECTIVE: To examine cervical cancer mortality rates in Mexican urban and rural communities, and their association with poverty-related factors, during 1990-2000. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed data from national databases to obtain mortality trends and regional variations using a Poisson regression model based on location (urban-rural). RESULTS: During 1990-2000 a total of 48 761 cervical cancer (CC) deaths were reported in Mexico (1990=4 280 deaths/year; 2000=4 620 deaths/year). On average, 12 women died every 24 hours, with 0.76% yearly annual growth in CC deaths. Women living in rural areas had 3.07 higher CC mortality risks compared to women with urban residence. Comparison of state CC mortality rates (reference=Mexico City) found higher risk in states with lower socio-economic development (Chiapas, relative risk [RR]=10.99; Nayarit, RR=10.5). Predominantly rural states had higher CC mortality rates compared to Mexico City (lowest rural population). CONCLUSIONS: CC mortality is associated with poverty-related factors, including lack of formal education, unemployment, low socio-economic level, rural residence and insufficient access to healthcare. This indicates the need for eradication of regional differences in cancer detection.

Keywords : cervical cancer; poverty; mortality; trends; urban; rural; Mexico.

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