Prevenção do câncer de colo uterino em mulheres quilombolas do município de Vitória da Conquista, Bahia, Brasil

Abstract

It has been widely reported in the literature the great importance of Pap smear for the prevention of cervical cancer and the various factors associated with not having the same, such as advanced age, low socioeconomic status, belonging to certain ethnic groups like african-american and having no spouse. It has also been shown that non-compliance to Pap smears exam is associated with inequality on access and health services. In Brazil, the black population has higher mortality rates from cancer when compared with the general population, probably a consequence of the inequalities in economic, political, social and health spheres. To recognize and to identify the factors that appear as barriers to the Pap smear is key to face this problem. Within this context, the present study aimed to analyze factors associated with non-compliance with Pap smears exam among quilombola women living in Vitória da Conquista, Bahia. We used cross-sectional study of population-based, with included women aged 18-64 years old and were conducted: descriptive analysis, univariate and multivariate analysis using multinomial logistic model. Women who have never performed or performed Pap smears for over three years were compared separately with those who were examined for less than three years. From 348 women included in the analysis, 27,3%, reported ever having a Pap smear exam. They were independently associated with never having taken the exam: aged 18 to 29 years and 50 to 59 years, not education, not having a partner, seek care in health-related units/establishments other than their place of residence and perform clinical breast examination for three or more years or never have done it. The findings indicate the need for reflection, for the reorganization of health activities and services aimed at better addressing the factors associated with not performing the Pap smear among quilombola women. It is imperative to consider preventive measures for cervical cancer involving improvement of living conditions and reorganization of primary health care, being necessary to increase the offering of and access to health services, among other issues contemplating the work of health teams family strengthening the bond between people and health professionals.