PERCEPÇÃO DE MULHERES SOBRE O TESTE DE PAPANICOLAOU

Abstract

Objective: to understand women's perception about the Pap Smear Test. Methodology: a qualitative and descriptive study which took place at a university campus, in Rio de Janeiro, from July/2014 to August/2015. The participants were 12 women, between 18 and 45 years, which attended this university. Semi-structured interviews were performed and the data was analyzed according to the Thematic Content Analysis. Results: The data was organized into two categories: "Perceiving the procedure as uncomfortable" which was divided into three sub-categories: "relating the discomfort to the procedure itself", "relating the discomfort to the feeling of embarrassment/shame" and "perceiving the link with the professional as a way to reduce the discomfort" and: "Perceiving the pap smear test as a form of health care". Conclusion: women perceive the Pap smear test as uncomfortable, but understand the need and the importance of the health care. (English) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]