Coverage of Papanicolaou Exams of 25 to 59 year-old Women in Maringá - PR, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer is a major challenge faced by the current model of Public Health. Objective: To determine the coverage of the completion of Pap smears in women 25 - 59 years old, ≥ three years or never did, according to sociodemographic variables and network of health service used. Method: A population-based study with analytical cross-sectional design in the city of Maringa, Parana, in the period from October to December 2006. We used a questionnaire administered to 291 household interviews with women through stratified random sampling, which represented the 326 districts of the city and 318,953 inhabitants. For data analysis, we applied the logistic regression model. Results: The coverage of the exam in the last three years was 87.6%, and 12.4% of the women have never done it or did not do it over the last three years. There was no significant association between the socio-demographic data and the conduction of the screening test, using univariate or multivariate. The SUS-network covered 54.3% of tests last year preceding the interview. Failure to perform the test showed significant differences in the lower classes. Conclusion: Considering the goal set by the World Health Organization - 80.0% coverage of Pap smear in the last three years to achieve the program's effectiveness, it can be stated that, in Maringa, coverage is adequate. The test being performed annually was predominant for users of the Unified Health System - SUS , not meeting the recommendations of the Ministry of Healthevery three years.