Cervical cancer screening in Teresina, Piauí, Brazil: evaluation study using data of the Cervical Cancer Information System, 2006-2013^*

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

to assess the cervical cancer screening tests in Teresina, Piauí, Brazil.

METHODS:

this is an evaluation study of Teresina Cervical Cancer Information System (Siscolo), for the period from 2006 to 2013, based on descriptive statistical analyses.

RESULTS:

604,331 pap smear tests of women residents in Teresina were registered on the system; 1.8% presented premalignant or malignant cytological conditions (atypical cells, intraepithelial lesions and cancer); positive results were higher among women aged >64 years old; there was a reduction of 43.9% in the number of tests performed among women in the target age group of the screening program; there was an increment in the percentage of unsatisfactory samples, from 0.33 to 0.89%.

CONCLUSION:

Teresina cervical screening program presents some limitations that need to be overcome, especially concerning the insufficient tests offer, its low proportion of positive results and the growing number of unsatisfactory samples.

Key words:
Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Vaginal Smears; Cervical Intraepithelial neoplasia; Mass Screening; Program Evaluation