Noncompliance in screening follow-up among family planning clinic patients with cervical dysplasia

Abstract

This investigation estimated the extent of noncompliance with follow-up to screening for cervical dysplasia at a public health family planning clinic. Available data also permitted examination of the relationship between selected background characteristics and compliance with follow-up. Noncompliance was defined as failure to respond to notification of an abnormal cervical smear (Class III, IV, or V) by failing either to make a follow-up appointment or to keep such an appointment after it was made. The sample consisted of 177 women with abnormal cervical smears who were screened at the Forsyth County Family Planning Clinic between January 1, 1980, and June 30, 1981. Information on the women's compliance with the request for follow-up was obtained from a file specifically kept for this purpose by the clinic nurse. Background characteristics were obtained by reviewing clinic records. Results indicated that approximately 17% of the sample was noncompliant. Noncompliant patients were more likely to be unmarried, less educated, younger, and to have fewer total health problems than women who returned for follow-up. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the number of health problems and educational attainment were the most important predictors of noncompliance.