Challenges to the organization of a cervical cancer screening program in Manaus-AM

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Challenges to the organization of a cervical cancer screening program in Manaus-AM¹

Desafios à organização de programa de rastreamento do câncer do colo do útero em Manaus-AM

Desafíos para la organización de programa de rastreo de cáncer de cuello uterino en Manaus-AM

Dina Albuquerque Duarte Corrêa^I; Wilza Vieira Villela^II; Ana Maria de Almeida^III

^IDoctoral student, University of São Paulo (USP) at Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing (EERP). São Paulo, Brazil. E-mail: [e-mail]

^IIPh.D. in Preventive Medicine. Professor of the Graduate Program in Health Promotion, Universidade de Franca. São Paulo, Brazil. E-mail [e-mail]

^IIIPh.D. in Nursing. Associate Professor, Department of Maternal-Child and Public Health Nursing, at EERP/USP. São Paulo, Brazil. E-mail: [e-mail]

Correspondence

ABSTRACT

The purpose was to investigate sociodemographic characteristics of women who underwent a Pap smear test in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, and identify the reasons why the women had the test. This exploratory study was performed with 281 women who had taken the Pap smear test within the last five years in Manaus. Most participants were between 18 to34 years old (54%), had 5 to 11 years of education (54.4%), had a monthly income of less than three minimum wage salaries (84.3%) and were in a stable relationship (72.2%), with an onset of sexual activity between the ages of 15 to19 years (69.4%). The reasons for their taking the Pap test were personal choice (66.2%), recommendation by a physician (23.5%) and gynecological symptoms (10.3%). Women who received information about the Pap test from health professionals had a greater chance of being tested within the last three years (p=0.008). Women choosing to have the exam (personal choice) are prevalent, and the opportunistic service is provided to younger women, thus not reaching the group at greater risk for cancer. It is necessary to implement active recruitment strategies to reach women in situations of socioeconomic disadvantage.

Descriptors: Uterine cervical neoplasms. Public health. Vaginal smears. Prevention & control.

RESUMO

Objetivou-se identificar as características sociodemográficas das mulheres que realizam o Papanicolaou em Manaus, Amazonas, e sua associação com os motivos para realização do exame. Pesquisa exploratória incluindo 281 mulheres, que haviam realizado o Papanicolaou nos últimos cinco anos em Manaus. A maioria das entrevistadas tinha entre 18-34 anos (54%), 5-11 anos de estudo (54,4%), renda familiar mensal de até três salários mínimos (84,3%), relação estável (72,2%) e início da vida sexual entre 15-19 anos (69,4%). Os motivos para realização do Papanicolaou foram procura espontânea (66,2%), recomendação médica (23,5%) e sintomas ginecológicos (10,3%). Mulheres que receberam informação dos profissionais de saúde tiveram proporção maior de realização do exame nos últimos três anos (p=0,008). A demanda espontânea é prevalente e o atendimento oportunístico é realizado nas mulheres mais jovens, não alcançando o grupo com maior risco para o câncer. É necessário implantar estratégias de recrutamento ativo alcançando mulheres em desvantagem socioeconômica.

Descritores: Neoplasias do colo do útero. Saúde pública. Teste de Papanicolaou. Prevenção e controle.

RESUMEN

El objetivo fue identificar las características sociodemográficas de las mujeres que se realizan la prueba de Papanicolau en Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil y su asociación con las razones de realizar el examen. La investigación exploratoria contó con la participación de 281 mujeres y evidenció que la mayoría de las encuestadas tenían entre 18-34 años (54%), de 5-11 años de escolaridad (54.4%), los ingresos mensuales de hasta tres salarios mínimos (84.3%), relación estable (72.2%) y la iniciación sexual entre los 15-19 años (69.4%). Las razones para realizar la prueba de Papanicolau fueron demanda espontánea (66.2%), indicación médica (23.5%) y síntomas ginecológicos (10.3%). Mujeres que habían recibido información de los profesionales de la salud tenían una mayor proporción de realización de la prueba en los últimos tres años (p=0.008). La demanda espontánea es prevalente y la atención oportuna es realizada en mujeres mas jóvenes. Es necesario implementar estrategias de reclutamiento activo para alcanzar a las mujeres en desventaja socioeconómica.

Descriptores: Neoplasias del cuello uterino. Salud pública. Frotis vaginal. Prevención & control.

INTRODUCTION

Uterine Cervical Cancer (UCC) is a neoplasm that reflects the unequal development across countries, affecting women of low socioeconomic level with poorer accessibility to screening interventions.¹ It is estimated that 83% of the new UCC cases occur in developing countries, accounting for 15% of all cancer cases among women, whereas the rate in developed countries is 3.6% of all female neoplasms.² Controlling this specific type of cancer is a challenge for public healthcare in developing countries.

In Brazil, the most challenging situation regarding UCC control is observed in the northern part of the country, where mortality due to this neoplasm is twice as frequent and the incidence is nearly double that of the southeast, which demonstrates the disparity of the distribution of this disease in the different regions of the country.³ According to figures from the National Cancer Institute, in 2010 the gross incidence of UCC in the State of Amazonas was 31.18 cases for every 100,000 women, while in the city of Manaus-AM, the incidence rate for 2010 was 46.15 cases for every 100,000 women, thus characterizing UCC as the most common female neoplasm in the state capital.⁴

However, the high social burden of the disease can be reduced, especially through actions focused on UCC prevention and control. One effective strategy for the secondary prevention of UCC is population screening, which, in Brazil, is performed through the Pap test.⁵ Although the test is capable of reducing UCC incidence rates and establishing indicators for following the screening recommendations, according to Pacto pela Vida (Pact for Life), coverage of the Brazilian population is below the recommendations of the World Health Organization,⁶ and the condition is the worst in the north.⁷

Achieving high-level coverage is a challenge for developing countries. Gaining knowledge regarding the factors associated with the performance of the Pap test is essential in order to design strategies to reduce UCC incidence and mortality.

Therefore, the present study was proposed with the objective to identify the sociodemographic characteristics of the women who take the Pap test in Manaus-AM, and their reasons for taking the test, revealing challenges for the organization of high quality screening programs.

METHOD

This exploratory, descriptive, qualitative study was developed in Manaus-AM in the period from February to March 2008. The study was performed at six Health Centers (HCs); three in the West Health District and three in the South Health District. The HCs were selected within the Health Districts that serve the population of more than one geographical area (West District - Central-West and West Areas; South District - Central-South and South Areas), and were chosen due to their high population coverage and their easy accessibility.

The sample size was calculated considering the number of monthly tests performed in each HC. It was estimated that, considering the period of study, a total of 912 tests were performed at the six HCs. The convenience sample size was estimated as 30% of the population who took the Pap test at one of the HCs during the period of study, yielding a sample size corresponding to 281 women.

The following inclusion criteria were used: women older than 18 years, living in Manaus, who were sexually active and had received the Pap test within the previous five years in any of the HCs in the city. The target population was selected through a convenience sample. The subjects were women who had attended the HC for a Pap test on the day of the interview, or were at the HC for some other reason but had had the test within the previous five years, in any HC in the city.

The data were collected through interviews performed at the HC in a room where women waited for their Pap test, using a closed form administered by the same researcher, after the women had read the consent form. The questions on the instrument were created based on forms used in other studies,^8-9 making a few adjustments specifically regarding the Pap test. The form was comprised of questions addressing sociodemographic and reproductive issues, as well as information relating to the women's personal experience with the Pap test.

The dependent variables were established as period of time since the last Pap test was taken (considered adequate when the latest test was performed within the previous three years; inadequate when the latest test was performed more than three years before the interview)¹⁰ and the reasons reported by the women for their taking the Pap test (personal choice; medical recommendation, presence of gynecological symptoms, and other reasons).⁸

The independent variables analyzed in the study were: age (younger than 20 years; 20-24; 25-29; 30-34; 35-39; 40-44; 45-49; 50-54; 55-59 years; and older than 59), education (up to four years of education; five to 11 years; and 12 years or more), family income (less than one minimum salary; between one and two; between two and four; and more than four minimum salaries), marital status (married; single with partner, and single without partner), age at onset of sexual activity (less than 15 years; between 15 and 19; and more than 19 years), sources of information regarding the Pap test (health center; doctor's appointment; home visit; school; friends/relatives; magazine/newspaper; and radio/TV) and knowledge regarding the Pap test (adequate when the women knew that the test detected UCC; and inadequate when the woman had never heard of the test, or had already heard about it but did not know it was performed to detect UCC). For the statistical analysis, the age variable was categorized as younger than 34 years and older than 34 years; and the family income variable was categorized as less than one minimum salary, between one and three, and above four minimum salaries.

In order to create the database and perform the statistical analyses, the Epi Info 3.4.3. software was used. The Χ² test was used, in which the association hypothesis was accepted when p was less than or equal to 0.05.

The present study complied with all the ethical principles of the Helsinki Declaration, and was analyzed and approved by the Research Ethics Committee at Universidade de Franca, under number 137/07. The women participated as volunteers and signed the Free and Informed Consent Form.

RESULTS

Table 1 summarizes the characteristics of the 281 women involved in the study.

Regarding the time elapsed since the last Pap test, 244 women (86.9%) reported having taken the test within the last three years, 130 women (46.3%) took the test within the last year, 114 women (40.6%) between one and three years ago, and 37 participants (13.2%) had the test more than three years ago.

In terms of the reasons for taking the Pap test, 186 women (66.2%) reported they sought out the test spontaneously (personal choice), 66 women (23.5%) took the test under medical recommendation, and 29 women (10.3%) mentioned gynecological symptoms as the main reason for their taking the test. The women's mean age stratified by the reason for taking the latest Pap test showed that the mean age of those who took the test spontaneously (186 women) was 35.8 years, for those with gynecological symptoms (29 women) the mean age was 34.8 years, and for those who took the test under medical recommendation (66 women), the mean age was 31.7 years. Table 2 lists the women's reported reasons for taking the latest Pap test, according to the sociodemographic variables.

Most women (96.8%) were informed about the Pap test by the referred HC, followed by other means (radio/TV, school, magazine/newspaper, friends/relatives, church). A statistically significant association was observed between taking the Pap test within the last three years and the source of information regarding the test. Women who had been informed about the test by healthcare professionals were more likely to have taken the test within the last three years, compared to those informed by other sources (Χ²=6.96; p<0.01; OR=0.39; CI 95%=0.19-0.80).

It was shown that 257 women (91.5%) were aware that the Pap test is used to screen for cervical cancer. A statistically significant association was found between the women knowing the purpose of the Pap test and their spontaneous seeking out of the test (Χ²=16.49; p<0.001).

DISCUSSION

UCC disproportionately affects women who are vulnerable and at a social disadvantage, and the cultural and socioeconomic contexts have been considered to be important factors in explaining screening disparities.^11-12 In spite of the attempts to establish cytology-based screening programs, in most developing countries there have been no reductions in UCC mortality rates.^13-14 The implementation and maintenance of effective screening programs demands infrastructure at a level that few developing regions are capable of offering. Therefore, the data are concentrated among three essential areas: the broad screening of women within the age group at risk; the offering of a reliable test; and guaranteeing adequate treatment.

In Brazil, in addition to the existing socioeconomic inequities, there is also the fact that cervical screening is predominantly opportunistic, serving women who attend the health center without making any greater efforts towards meeting the needs of the population at greatest risk, considering that most services are limited to younger women who seek primary healthcare, prenatal care, and family planning.¹⁵ This method of screening is also characterized by frequent repetition of tests, heterogeneous quality of the test, lack of control regarding the introduction of new technologies, and poor monitoring.¹⁶

Therefore, the reality of the studied population is a situation in which the spontaneous demand is prevalent and opportunistic treatment is performed on women at low risk, younger than 35 years of age, who often take the test not as a means of self-care regarding cancer, but, rather, aiming at the treatment/prevention of other conditions that are often equivocated.

With the purpose to improve the implementation of UCC prevention programs, the Pan-American Health Organization established a Regional Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Cervical Cancer in 2008, comprised of seven essential items, including education information. ¹⁷ It is necessary to invest in informing women about cervical cancer prevention, and to educate the population so that the demand for the Pap test meets the screening proposal, i.e., screening women who are most excluded and at highest risk.

Education increases the level of alertness towards the importance of performing preventive tests and can improve the way individuals understand information about routine assessments, communication with the healthcare professional and the interpretation of the results.^18-19 In this study, the women's knowledge regarding the purpose of the Pap test was significantly associated with the spontaneous search for the test (personal choice regarding taking the test) (p=0.0003), validating the idea that information increases the search for preventive care. The origin of this information is an important factor, as in the present study it was observed that receiving information at the Health Center was associated with a greater proportion of tests taken within the last three years (p=0.008).

In this sense, it is inferred that the origin of the information about the Pap test is a strong indicator of behavior change among women and, consequently, affects their willingness to voluntarily take the test. However, the present study data must be confirmed by population sampling studies, because limitations of the selection bias may occur due to sampling by convenience, as in this study.

Other challenges, such as difficulty in accessing medical appointments/tests and geographic barriers must be overcome, in order to support a high-quality screening program, which are important predictors of the underutilization of the test. Thus, assuring the availability of efficient healthcare services is essential to increase the utilization of the Pap test as a screening tool.²⁰

Therefore, recognizing there are innumerable factors that can contribute to the failure of a screening program, it is essential to assess the target population when planning effective interventions. In this sense, it is important to implement active recruitment strategies that reach, particularly, women at a socioeconomic disadvantage.

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

The profile of the studied population in Manaus-AM is similar to that observed in other Brazilian cities. The present study data suggest that preventive care regarding uterine cervical cancer represent a form of organization that is based on opportunistic demand, which implies that performing the Pap test is associated with the women's spontaneous search for the service and the opportunity of taking the test among a set of other health care procedures.

Considering the adequacy of UCC control strategies, interventions should be developed with the purpose to facilitate accessibility and educate women who do not take the test. From this perspective, the local Unified Health System should promote information and education programs to sensitize the population regarding the importance and recommended frequency of the Pap test. Actions to control UCC should be extended to community centers and schools, using a participative approach, as a way to train the community to assume an active role in controlling factors related to their health condition. The greatest challenge is to have a health system of universal access that provides women with high quality services for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer, so as to reduce the heavy burden of the disease.

REFERENCES

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  26 July 2012
• Date of issue
  June 2012