Knowledge, attitude and practices of biomedicine students on the papanicolaou exam

Cervical cancer is the second type of cancer that most affects women, considered a serious public health problem, however it can be detected and treated early through the Pap smear. This research aimed to analyze the knowledge, attitude and practices of biomedicine students on the Pap smear. A cross-sectional study on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP), applied with 108 students, was carried out at a Higher Education Institution in Teresina, Piauí, Brazil. The data were collected through the months of February and March of 2018 with the application of a questionnaire. Statistical analysis was descriptive in terms of absolute and relative frequencies. Knowledge 72 (66.6%) and attitude 76 (70.3%) presented adequate levels regarding the examination. As for the practice, the percentage of suitability was of 37 academics (34.2%) relatively not adequate. It was concluded that the students had adequate knowledge and attitude, but an inadequate practice, and the Papanicolaou test is required for the early screening and prevention of cervical cancer.

Survey on the risk factors for cervical cancer known by biomedicine students

The development of cervical cancer is related with human papillomavirus infection with greater intensity the subtypes 16 and 18. Considering that the lifestyle of women influences the development of this cancer, this study aimed to perform a survey on the risk factors for cervical cancer known by biomedicine students. Descriptive and exploratory research, with a quantitative approach was performed with 101 biomedical undergraduates. Data were collected from February to March 2018 through a questionnaire and analyzed in the Statistical Package for the Social Science program. Students in the age group of 18 to 24 years old (89.11%), single (93.07%), with family income between two and three minimum wages prevailed (43.56%). It also showed that participants started their sexual life early (average 16 years old), had more than one sexual partner throughout their lives, had no relation to smoking (100%), most were not alcohol consumers (66%), did not take the Papanicolaou preventive exam (61.39%), did not practice physical activity (55.45%) and had a low frequency in the use of condoms during sexual intercourse (22.08%). It is concluded that there is a need for educational campaigns in Higher Education Institutions, which provide more information about the prevention of Cervical Cancer and the prevention of associated risk factors.

Knowledge and practice related to the pap smear test among cytopathologists

Cervical cancer is the third most common type of cancer amongst women, compared to other neoplasms, with a higher potential for prevention, slow evolution, and has a simple and effective screening test in its detection, cure when diagnosed early. The routine examination in Brazil for the prevention of this type of cancer is the Pap smear test. This study aimed to reveal the knowledge and practice regarding the Pap smear test among cytopathologists. A descriptive and exploratory research, a qualitative approach, performed with 21 cytopathologists, by e-mailing a data collection instrument, from March to April 2018. Data were treated using the Hierarchical Descending Classification in IraMuTeQ software and analyzed by the Discourse of the Collective Subject. The construction of the results was carried out based on aspects of the knowledge of the cytopathologists about the Pap smear, related to the importance of the completion of the post-graduation for its accomplishment, and aspects of cytopathologists practice regarding the relevance of performing the early diagnosis of cervical cancer. We conclude on the need to reorganize the activities in the work process of the health professionals involved in the Pap smear.