cancer de colo de utero

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Pap smear screening: sensations reported by nursing professionals when submitted to this test

Roberta Jeane Bezerra Jorge 1
Maria Albertina Rocha Diógenes 1
Francisco Antonio da Cruz Mendonça 1
Luís Rafael Leite Sampaio 1
Roberto Jorge Júnior 1

Abstract This work sought to record the impressions of nursing assistants and technicians after submitting to Pap smear screening. This is a descriptive study using a qualitative approach conducted in September and October of 2006 with 35 employees of a public institution, which is a benchmark in gynecology in Fortaleza in the State of
Ceará (Brazil). The data was collected through semi-structured interviews containing a recorded leading question and analyzed according to the methodological-theoretical reference of social phenomenology. The testimonials were separated in three groups: an exam that causes discomfort, fear and shame; an exam that causes anxiety about the results; and an exam that “makes me calm and relaxed”. Despite the interviewees being part of an institution that cares for the prevention of cervical-uterine cancer in women, negative feelings about the Pap smear test were nonetheless reported. The conclusion reached is that it is important to stage educational campaigns emphasizing the importance of empowerment of patients in order to minimize these aspects.
Key words Impressions, Pap smear screening,
Women’s Health, Uterine cervical neoplasm
1

Grupo Saúde da Mulher,
Universidade de Fortaleza.
Rua Caubi 798, Barra do
Ceará. 60331-100
Fortaleza CE. [e-mail] Resumo Objetivou-se conhecer os sentimentos de auxiliares e técnicas de enfermagem ao se submeterem ao exame Papanicolaou. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo com abordagem qualitativa realizado nos meses de setembro a outubro de 2006, com 35 servidoras de uma instituição governamental referência em ginecologia na cidade de Fortaleza (CE). Os dados foram coletados através de
entrevista