CONOCIMIENTO DE LOS AGENTES COMUNITARIOS DE SALUD SOBRE EL

This quantitative, descriptive study aimed to ascertain community health workers' (CHWs) knowledge of the Pap test. The participants were 98 CHWs with Family Health Strategy teams in Picos, Piaui. Data were collected from March to April 2011 using a semi-structured questionnaire. The results indicated a lack of knowledge about the Pap test and cervical cancer, and scanty training on these subjects. The CHWs mentioned doing educational work in their micro-area, the main difficulty being people's reluctance to follow their recommendations. It is hoped that this study will sensitize nurses and managers to the need to train CHWs, to enable them to take preventive measures against cervical cancer with excellence.