Facilitators and barriers to the Papanicolaou test on women in countryside of Amazonas.

Abstract

Objective: To identify the facilitators and barriers of performing the Papanicolaou test on women living in countryside of Amazonas.

Method: This is an exploratory-descriptive study, with a qualitative approach, conducted with 37 women in two basic health units in the municipality of Coari, Amazonas, from March to April 2022. Data collection took place through individual semi-structured interviews and an audio-recorded focus group technique. The material obtained was submitted to Bardin's Content Analysis Technique, anchored in the theoretical framework of the health belief model.

Results: Facilitators for undergoing the preventive exam included: access to health services, availability of the test at river-based health units, invitation from a health professional and living in an urban area. The main barriers included: lack of forms, time, shortage of professionals, delay in delivering test results, restrictions imposed by husbands, lack of information about the test, financial difficulties, shame, fear, fatalism and geographical difficulties.

Conclusion: The main barriers affecting screening adherence rates were institutional, individual and psycho-emotional aspects. Structural actions related to health service management and educational actions aimed at prevention and health promotion may improve the effectiveness of screening programs.