Cervical Cancer Screening Uptake Among Women with Disabilities: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Study in Chile

The Papanicolaou (Pap) test is one of the most effective methods for cervical cancer screening. However, women with disabilities are less likely to be screened. The objective of this study is to determine whether there is a difference in Pap test utilisation between women with and without disabilities and to analyse the demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related characteristics associated with Pap test uptake among women with disabilities in Chile. Data from the 2022 National Socioeconomic Characterization Survey were analysed, and 71,989 women between 18 and 75 years of age were included. The dependent variable was Pap test utilisation, and the exposure variable was disability. We used logistic regressions to control for demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related covariates. The results showed that women with disabilities were less likely to undergo a Pap test compared to those without disabilities. Characteristics such as being married, being aged between 25 and 64 years, and having secondary or tertiary education increased the likelihood of Pap test utilisation. Conversely, being single, having received special education, and being inactive decreased these odds. Effective public health policies are needed that will increase Pap test utilisation for all population subgroups, including women with disabilities and, therefore, promote health equity.