Trends and determinants of up-to-date status with colorectal cancer screening in tennessee,2002-2008

Background: screening rates for colorectal cancer (crc) are increasing nationwide including tennessee (tn); however,their up-to-date status is unknown. the objective of this study is to determine the trends and characteristics of tn adults who are up-to-date status with crc screening during 2002-2008. methods: we examined data from the tn behavioral risk factor surveillance system for 2002,2004,2006 and 2008 to estimate the proportion of respondents aged 50 years and above who were up-to-date status with crc screening,defined as an annual home fecal occult blood test and/or sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy in the past 5 years. we identified trends in up-to-status in all eligible respondents. using multivariable logistic regression models,we delineated key characteristics of respondents who were up-to-date status. results: during 2002-2008,the proportion of respondents with up-to-date status for crc screening increased from 49% in 2002- 55% in 2006 and then decreased to 46% in 2008. the screening rates were higher among adults aged 65-74 years,those with some college education,those with annual household income ≥$35,000 and those with health-care access. in 2008,the respondents who were not up-to-date status with crc screening included those with no health-care coverage (adjusted odds ratio [or] 0.46,95% confidence interval [ci] 0.33-0.63),those aged 50-54 years (or 0.62,95% ci 0.46-0.82) and those with annual household income <$25,000 (or 0.65,95% ci 0.52- 0.82). conclusions: tn adults who are up-to-date status with crc screening are increasing,but not across all socio-demographic subgroups. the results identified specific subgroups to be targeted by screening programs,along with continued efforts to educate public and providers about the importance of crc screening.