Abstract

COSTA, Jaqueline Helen Godinho et al. Prevention of cervical cancer in riparian communities assisted by the Light in Amazonia Program in Pará State, Brazil. Rev Pan-Amaz Saude [online]. 2011, vol.2, n.4, pp.17-22. ISSN 2176-6215.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5123/S2176-62232011000400003.

Cervical cancer (CC) is a form of neoplasia with the highest incidence in women in Pará State, Brazil, following non-melanoma skin cancer. The mortality rates of CC are higher in the interior of the State. Healthcare intervention efforts that target the prevention of CC in riparian communities are necessary to reduce the mortality rates of CC in the interior of the state, including strategies that reduce disease frequency and account for the characteristics of such communities. This study was aimed at the primary and secondary prevention of CC in riparian communities that were assisted by the Light in Amazonia Program. The primary prevention efforts reached 317 families in five communities that were visited from February 2009 to November 2011. A total of 104 women received the Papanicolaou test (Pap smear). A cytological analysis classified 22.12% (n = 23) of the Pap smears as normal; 62.50% (n = 65) as inflammatory; 9.61% (n = 10) as exhibiting atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US); and 5.77% (n = 6) as squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs). Of the 55 (52.88%) women who had never received a Pap smear, more than half were older than 35 years of age. Low educational level, low coverage of Pap smears, early onset of sexual activity, and multiparity were significant risk factors for CC. However, the low frequencies of women who had multiple lifetime sexual partners, who were smokers, and who were users of contraceptive methods may be protective factors.

Keywords : Cervix Neoplasms Prevention; Vaginal Smears; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Community-Institutional Relations; Public Health.

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