Pap smear: Perception of nursing professionals in Primary Health Care
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v14i11.49988Keywords:
Women’s Health, Cervical Neoplasms, Papanicolaou Test, Health Education, Nursing.Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyze the perception of female nursing professionals working in Primary Health Care regarding the importance of the Pap smear test. A mixed-method study was conducted: a social component involving nurses, within a qualitative and quantitative investigation that applied mathematical–statistical analysis of data classes and percentages, and in an exploratory approach carried out in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, between December 2020 and January 2021. Fourteen nursing professionals (seven nurses and seven technicians) participated, selected from Basic Health Units under the Family Health Strategy model. Data collection took place through a digital questionnaire, and the information was processed using the IRAMUTEQ software. The results indicate that participants recognize the relevance of the test for early detection of cervical cancer, as well as their role as health educators in encouraging women within their social circles to undergo the examination. It is concluded that nursing professionals are aware of the importance of the preventive test, although gaps remain regarding HPV vaccination and the use of contraceptive methods.
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