Efeitos de uma intervenção educativa para a prevenção do câncer do colo uterino em mulheres privadas de liberdade: ensaio clínico randomizado

Abstract

Cervical cancer (CC) is one of the leading causes of mortality among women worldwide. Vulnerable populations, such as those who are incarcerated, are particularly affected by CC due to limited access to healthcare resources, prevention strategies, and treatment, as well as inadequate sanitation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of an educational health intervention on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding cervical cancer prevention, specifically focusing on the Pap smear test, among incarcerated women. This was an experimental, randomized controlled trial conducted in female penitentiary units in the state of Ceará, Brazil, from September to November 2022, involving 396 incarcerated women. The research was carried out in five phases: 1) Campaign and recruitment phase; 2) Randomized assignment of participants to either the control or intervention group, followed by the completion of the General Social and Health Status Evaluation Questionnaire and the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) Survey on CC prevention; 3) Educational intervention with the women in the intervention group; 4) Post-intervention application of the KAP survey; and 5) Data analysis. The sample was homogeneous, primarily consisting of young women with a monthly income below the minimum wage, eight years of education from public schools, who were single, cisgender, heterosexual, religious, and homeowners. Most participants had inadequate knowledge, appropriate attitudes, and inadequate practices in both groups, both at baseline and at the follow-up. However, intragroup analysis revealed that the intervention group showed significant improvements in both knowledge and preventive practices, whereas the control group demonstrated an increase in inadequate practices over time. In conclusion, the results suggest that the educational intervention was effective in enhancing both knowledge and preventive practices related to cervical cancer among incarcerated women.