Risk Factors that Delay Participation in the Program of “Early Detection of Cervical Cancer”

Abstract

Objective: to determine the personal and institutional risk factors that delay the participation in the program “Early Detection of Cervical Cancer” (edc). Methods: case-control design. A non-randomized sample, by convenience: 50 cases and 100 controls, in women from 25 to 65 years that met the criteria of selection. Six instruments were made and validated to measure variables. Results: it was found a statistically significant association in “delay in the participation of the edc program” as a risk factor: age from 25 to 35 years, common-law relationship, a prior pregnancy, low medium and high medium social and economic level and an indifferent attitude of the health personnel. As a “protective factor”: 56 to 65 years, religion Catholic, to be a working woman and have a better attitude of the health personnel. Variables were statistically non-significant: the beginning of the sexual life, the patient attitude and knowledge of the edc program, having backgrounds about cervical cancer, administrative processes and facilities. Conclusions: in order to promote the edc program it is necessary that health personnel become more sensitive and to design strategies.