Perceptions and Factors Associated with Adherence to Cervical Cancer Screening Among Women in a Brazilian Municipality
Alana Eduarda Martins Melo
Universidade da Amazônia, UNAMA, Pará, Brasil.
Julliane Teixeira de Souza Costa
Universidade da Amazônia, UNAMA, Pará, Brasil.
Orlando de Cássio Oliveira da Silva
Universidade da Amazônia, UNAMA, Pará, Brasil.
Antônia Lyandra Jesus dos Santos
Programa de Pós Graduação em Desenvolvimento Sustentável do Trópico Úmido (PPGDSTU) Universidade Federal do Pará, UFPA, Pará, Brasil.
Brenda Silva Lisboa Alves
Faculdade Metropolitana da Amazônia, UNIFAMAZ, Pará, Brasil.
Denise Sena Maués
Universidade do Estado do Pará- UEPA, Pará, Brasil.
Gilberto Garcia Ribeiro Júnior
Universidade da Amazônia, UNAMA, Pará, Brasil.
Isabelle Soria Galvarro Franco
Faculdade Metropolitana da Amazônia, UNIFAMAZ, Pará, Brasil.
João Victor Pina Marinho
Faculdade Anhanguera - Marabá, Pará, Brasil.
Leiliane Cristina de Souza Costa
Universidade do Estado do Pará- UEPA, Pará, Brasil.
Maylane Cristina Barros Sousa
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem obstétrica, Centro Universitário da Amazônia (PPGENFO/UNIESAMAZ). Belém, Pará, Brasil.
Michael Costa Santos
Universidade do Estado do Pará- UEPA, Pará, Brasil.
Paula Eduarda de Oliveira Batista
Universidade da Amazônia, UNAMA, Pará, Brasil.
Paulo Victor Guterres Ribeiro
Universidade do Estado do Pará- UEPA, Pará, Brasil.
Simone Aguiar da Silva Figueira
Universidade do Estado do Pará- UEPA, Pará, Brasil.
Thays Cristiane da Silva do Nascimento
Universidade da Amazônia, UNAMA, Pará, Brasil.
Waleska Raisa Santos da Rocha
Faculdade Unida de Campinas, FacUnicamps, Goiás, Brasil.
Wiliane Freire Pinheiro
Programa de pós graduação em Saúde e Tecnologia, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, UFMA, Maranhão, Brasil.
Camila Carvalho do Vale *
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem, Universidade do Estado do Pará e Universidade Federal do Amazonas (PPGENF/UEPA-UFAM). Belém, Pará, Brasil.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Cervical Cancer (CC) is among the diseases with the greatest impact on female mortality worldwide. In Brazil, estimates from the National Cancer Institute for the 2020–2022 triennium indicate approximately 16,590 new cases, corresponding to an estimated risk of 15.43 cases per 100,000 women per year during this period.
Objective: To analyse factors associated with knowledge and adherence to cervical cancer screening (PCCU) among women living in the municipality of Ananindeua – PA in the Brazilian Municipality.
Methodology: A cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study was conducted with 100 women interviewed in a public setting. A structured questionnaire was applied through direct interviews, covering sociodemographic variables and questions related to knowledge and practice of the PCCU. Data were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical analysis, with a significance level of 5%.
Results: Most participants were between 18 and 29 years old, single, had children, and predominantly used public health services. Educational level showed a significant association with knowledge about the PCCU (p=0.004). Although 91% had undergone the test at least once, only 63% did so regularly. Barriers such as discomfort during the procedure and the influence of the professional’s gender were reported.
Conclusion: Although most women demonstrated knowledge and had already undergone the test, regular adherence remains limited, particularly among groups with lower educational levels. Continuous educational initiatives and strategies to humanise care may expand screening coverage and contribute to reducing the incidence of cervical cancer in the region.
Keywords: Women’s health, screening, pap smear, adherence, nursing