Association between Cervical Cancer and Dietary Patterns in Colombia

Cervical cancer is a global public health problem. It is the second leading cause of death among women of childbearing age worldwide. Several factors, including diet, have been shown to influence the risk of persistent HPV infection and tumor progression. This paper determines the relationship between dietary patterns and cervical cancer. It is an ecological study of multiple groups, based on two national sources: the High-Cost Account and the National Survey of Nutritional Situation of Colombia of 2015. The population consisted of 3472 women aged 35 to 64. The incidence of cervical cancer was used as the dependent variable while the independent variables included food consumption according to established patterns, area of residence, age, physical activity, and BMI, among other variables. The statistical analysis performed through associations between variables was evaluated by multiple linear regression using R2. 38.9% of the evaluated population belonged to the first quartile of wealth, and 76.5% resided in the municipal capital. The incidence of cervical cancer in Colombia was associated with being affiliated to a state-subsidized health regime and having diabetes mellitus. A conservative eating pattern, as well as belonging to a rural area, are evidenced as protective factors. These results invite the need to encourage public policies and promote healthy lifestyles.

Factors Associated with Dietary Patterns in Colombia

The selection of food depends on various factors such as cultural, social, economic and biological. This paper determines the factors associated with dietary patterns in Colombia. It is an observational, descriptive exploratory study collecting secondary data from the National Survey of Nutritional Status of Colombia (ENSIN, 2015) of 16,216 people between 15 and 64 years of age. The variables were the following: area, age range, sex, educational level, high blood pressure arterial hypertension (HTA), diabetes (DM), cancer, wealth quartile and dietary pattern. For the data analysis, logistic regression models were generated for each pattern and OR was used as a measure of association. Of those studied, 74.6% live in urban areas, all were aged between 15 and 49 years and 45.4% were in the first wealth quartile (Q1). There was a greater probability of traditional and conservative dietary patterns in people with diabetes and hypertension. Consumption of the conservative pattern was associated with being a woman, while consumption of the traditional pattern was associated with people in the first and second wealth level. Consumption of grill/beverage was more likely in men. Socio-demographic factors and chronic non-communicable diseases are associated with dietary patterns. This makes it relevant for health professionals to take into account these characteristics for nutritional interventions.