FALTA DE PERIODICIDADE NA REALIZAÇÃO DO EXAME CITOPATOLÓGICO DO COLO UTERINO: MOTIVAÇÕES DAS MULHERES LACK OF PERIODICITY IN REALIZATION THE CYTOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE CERVIX: MOTIVATIONS OF WOMEN FALTA DE PERIODICIDAD EN LA REALIZACIÓN DEL EXAMEN CITOPATOLÓGICO DE CUELLO UTERINO: MOTIVOS DE LAS MUJERES

The number of women who have never had a Pap smear (of the cervix) has decreased in recent decades. However, the recommended frequency of screening is still not followed, resulting in low coverage and persistence of this cause of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to understand the motivations of women who do not perform the test regularly. This is a qualitative study with 14 women seen in a primary health care unit in Divinopolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic content analysis. The results show that motivations are related to feelings, little information, daily life issues, difficulties in the relationship between professionals and women, and institutional barriers. Thus, managers need to worry about the training of professionals responsible for this activity. There should be a reorientation of health services to be more supportive of health promotion, providing women with the necessary knowledge and awareness to be co-responsible for their health.