Predictors of compliance with colposcopy referral in an indigent urban population

Background. The objective of this study was to determine whether sociodemographical and medical factors identify noncompliant patients referred for colposcopy. Methods. Analysis factors determined by patient questionnaire and chart abstraction were analyzed by chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests. Results. Of 208 women referred, 159 were eligible for study and 27% (43 patients) were noncompliant. No factor distinguished compliant from initially noncompliant patients. To explain their noncompliance, women who initially failed to present for colposcopy cited transportation problems, lack of child care, and cost. Conclusions. Non-compliance with colposcopy among urban minority women is common, though barriers to compliance are multifactorial. However, sociodemographical and medical factors do not distinguish between complaint and initially noncompliant women presenting for colposcopy.