Abstract
Objectives:
to outline and examine the adequacy of the structure and processes used by Access and Quality Improvement Program (PMAQ-AB) teams to prevent cervical cancer during basic care in Brazil.
Methods:
a cross-sectional study was carried out at all basic health units (BHUs), between 2012 and 2013. The prevalence of adequate structure (infrastructure and materials) and working processes for conducting the Pap test was calculated. The association of adequacy with characteristics of the units and their teams were measured using the prevalence ratio (PR) and confidence intervals of 95% (CI95%).
Results:
38,812 BHUs and 17,202 healthcare teams were studied. The prevalence of adequate structure and working processes was 49% and 30%, respectively. The adequacy of structure and processes was associated positively with largely size of municipality and higher HDI. The prevalence of adequate structure was higher at units adopting the Family Health Strategy (PR=1.35; CI95%: 1.33-1.38) and the adequacy of their working processes was associated with having a registered population of <4,000 individuals and full minimal team.
Conclusions:
the structure and processes used to screen for cervical cancer need to be improved. Healthcare teams need to provide better quality intervention in relation to this program.
Key words
Primary health care; Structure of services Family Health Strategy; Cervical Cancer; Women’s health
