Fatores relacionados à prática inadequada do exame Papanicolau por mulheres do interior do Ceará

Abstract

In Brazil, the Pap test is the primary recommended strategy for the prevention of cervical cancer (CCU) cancer, targeted at women 25-64 years old, held every three years after two consecutive normal tests performed a interval of one year. This research aimed to identify the factors related to inadequate practice of Pap smear for women examination on a city in the interior of Ceará. Thus, a cross-sectional study was conducted using a quantitative approach. The collection was from June to October 2013 in the health district V of Juazeiro do Norte-CE. The sample was calculated using the formula for finite populations, totaling a value of 240 women who were included based on the following criteria: age between 20 and 59 years; have initiated sexual life and accepting participate. Excluded were those who were not in full physical or mental condition and were not at the clinic at the time of data collection. Was used as an instrument of data collection, the household survey-type Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, and subsequently applied by the researcher classified according to criteria of adequacy. Data were stored and analyzed using STATA software, version 12.0. The data showed that all respondents reported having heard of the Pap smear, but in 72.9% of the knowledge was assessed as inappropriate. Improper attitude also showed high percentage (73.3%). The practice was classified as inadequate in 39.2% of the sample, in which 13.3% reported never having undergone the examination, and 23.6% have done it for over three years. After the adjusted Odds Ratio test, the following variables showed statistical significance for appropriate practice: age between 20 and 29 years (OR (CI) = 2.25), single marital status (OR (CI) = 3.18) and inadequate knowledge (OR (CI) = 2.90). The difficulties encountered in the realization of the Pap smear in the health unit, the variables of higher percentages for inadequate practice were lack of material (68.1%), shame the professional (27.6%) and not like the professional who performs the examination (20.8%). It was realized from this research, the importance of clarifying the population and effective communication among professionals of the teams of the Family Health Strategy about the issues related to cervical cancer and its prevention, as well as warranty and support continuity of care by managers.