%0 Generic %D 2012 %T Evolution of social inequalities after the introduction of a breast cancer screening program. Conference Proceeding of the 5th International Congres of Epidemiology of Adelf-Epiter, Brusselss 2012 %A Françoise Renard %A Stefaan Demarest %A Jean Tafforeau %K 2001 %K 2008 %K 2012 %K Absolute %K Aged %K ALL %K AS %K association %K at %K Belgium %K breast %K breast cancer %K breast cancer screening %K Breast-cancer %K cancer %K cancer screening %K Categories %K Change %K Changes %K conference %K Coverage %K data %K differences %K Discussion %K Educational level %K Educational-level %K epidemiology %K Evolution %K Fraction %K FR_CV %K Gini coefficient %K Group %K health %K Health inequalities %K health interview survey %K health interview surveys %K Improvement %K Income %K Increase %K inequalities %K inequality %K International %K Interview %K Interview survey %K IQ %K IT %K Less %K LEVEL %K levels %K linear regression %K mammographic %K mammographic screening %K measure %K measures %K method %K methods %K national %K national screening %K objectives %K observed %K ODDS RATIO %K PAF %K period %K prevalence %K PROGRAM %K proxies %K Proxy %K RATES %K Ratio %K Reduction %K regression %K relative %K result %K results %K RII %K RR %K SCREENING %K SCREENING PROGRAM %K self reported %K Self-reported %K SES %K SOCIAL %K Social inequalities %K Social inequality %K Socio economic %K socio economic inequalities %K Socio economic status %K Socio-economic %K socio-economic inequality %K Socio-economic status %K Socioeconomic %K Socioeconomic inequalities %K Socioeconomic status %K status %K study %K survey %K surveys %K TESTING %K time %K trend %K trends %K WOMEN %K work %X Introduction: Opportunistic breast cancer screening associated with a better coverage for highest socio-economic status (SES) existed in Belgium before the introduction of a national screening program in 2001-2002. This work examined the changes in the mammographic coverage by SES and the changes in SE-inequalities since 1997.Methods: Data were obtained from the Health Interview Surveys (1997-2001-2004-2008). The mammographic coverage rate was computed for women aged 50-69. Educational levels (EL) were used as proxies for SES. SE-inequality for mammographic coverage was estimated with absolute and relative disparity measures (absolute differences and ratio of the lowest versus highest EL-prevalence), regression indices (the SII and RII), and the Population-Attributable Fraction (PAF). The evolution over time of the indices was measured by testing for the differences between the first and the last survey year, and by fitting a weighted linear regression.Results: In each EL a substantial increase in the coverage was observed over time. The relative increase of prevalence (absolute increase in prevalence between 2 years divided by the prevalence in the first year) between 1997 and 2008 was larger in the 2 less educated groups (respectively + 62.8% and +92.75% increase from initial value) than in the more educated groups (+ 33% and +19%). All inequality indices reflected a change towards less inequality: the absolute prevalence difference (lowest vs highest) decreased with 55% (p=0.13), the RR of being screened (lowest vs highest) increased with 40% (p=0.07) , the PAF decreased with 72% (p<0.01) , the RII increased with 76% (p=0.07) and the SII decreased with 52% (p=0.13). However, for most of the indices, no linear trend in SE-inequalities could be observed: only between 1997 and 2001 these inequalities seem to have been reducedDiscussion and Conclusions: Since 1997, the prevalence rates of mammographic coverage increased for every EL. At the beginning of the study period - before the introduction of the screening program - a reduction of SE-inequality could be observed. The figures reflect little improvement since its introduction. %B NA %S Revue Epidémiologique et Santé Publique %I ADELF (Association des Epidémiologistes de Langue Française) congress %C Brussels %V 60S %P S55 %8 0/0/2012 %G eng %N NA %1 33561 %2 NA %& S55