Factors associated with the use of breast and cervical cancer screening services among Chinese women in Hong Kong

We conducted a cross-sectional survey using a self-administered questionnaire among attendees of a well women clinic in Hong Kong during June and July 1998. The study aimed to examine the factors associated with the past and future use of screening services among Chinese women in Hong Kong and their perception of service providers. Of the 430 respondents (64% response rate), 87% were aged 31-50 y, 85% married, 93% attained education to upper secondary school level, and 96% were non-smokers. Nearly all respondents (99%) reported having sexual experience and most of them (87%) had such experience with only one partner; 59% reported having a pap-smear test, 28% a mammogram and 44% a breast self-examination. Women who were health conscious (ate a lower fat diet and performed regular exercise) were more likely to have used the screening service (mammogram and pap-smear test) and performed breast self-examination. Staff manner, privacy and cost were the most common contributing factors for respondent's desire for future use of the screening service. Respondents showed a preference for doctors (70%) over nurses (30%), and females (80%) over males (20%) as their service providers. The findings suggest the need to disseminate appropriate information on screening services among the public to dispel misconceptions about the preference for doctors over nurses and females over males. Improving clinician- and other staff-patient communication would be important for breast and cervical screening programs in Hong Kong.