2013 Volume 79 Issue 4 Pages 87-98
Purpose : To analyze the relationship between sex-site-specific cancer screening rate and participation rate in volunteer and social activities for Japanese prefectures, and to examine the community based approach to improve cancer screening rate.
Methods : We collected data on 8 items including sex-site-specific cancer screening rate in 2007 and on 9 items for participation rate in volunteer and social activities from prefectural census and official statistics obtained from the National Government. By using ordinal scale, cluster analysis was used to examine latent variables for structural equation modeling. Spearman's correlational analyses and structural equation modeling were used to analyze the data in both males and females.
Results : The cluster analysis divided volunteer and social activities into four types. Structural equation modeling showed that, in both males and females, every site-specific, such as stomach, colorectal, lung, breast and cervix, cancer screening rate had positive relationship with communities that ‘rational political participation.’ The model also demonstrated that some site-specific cancer screening rates were indirectly connected to communities that ‘civic virtue’ through the ‘rational political participation’ and communities that ‘efficient public governance’ through ‘effective governance.’
Conclusion : Several relationships between site-specific cancer screening rate and participation rate in volunteer and social activities were identified in this study. The results, however, revealed the importance of volunteer and social activities to promote health-conscious communities toward the ultimate goal of increasing cancer screening rate.
