Sample taking for identifi cation of papilomavirus DNA: Skills and knowledge

Abstract

Objective: To establish the relationship between the knowledge and skills of health personnel in taking samples for the identifi cation of papillomavirus DNA. Methods: Cross-sectional study, conducted between March and June of 2017. Population of 313 people, the probabilistic sample was calculated considering a r = 0.306 expected, 95% confi dence, and power of 90%, which equated to 90 workers from 23 health centers. A knowledge test and checklist were administered to evaluate sampling skills, with the hybrid capture method (HPV-CH2 test). For data analysis, Pearson's and the ANOVA correlation were used. Results: A correlation between knowledge and skills was found (r=0.438) (p<0.001). Regarding knowledge, there was no signifi cant difference in the means obtained from the three groups of participants (nurses vs. interns 3.27 p=0.557, physicians vs. nurses 2.17 p=0.852, physicians vs. interns 5.45 p=0.441). Regarding skills, there was no difference between the means obtained between physicians and nurses (4.27 p=0.388), nor between nurses and interns (4.54 p=0.179), but there was a difference between physicians and interns (8.81 p=0.041). Conclusion: There was a correlation between the knowledge and skills in taking samples for the identifi cation of papillomavirus DNA. There were no signifi cant differences in knowledge between the groups studied; but a difference in means for skills was found between physicians and interns.