Professionals’ practice and quality of actions to control cervical cancer: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective

to assess the working length of physicians and nurses in Primary Health Care (PHC) and the quality of actions taken to control cervical cancer (CC).

Methods

this is a cross-sectional study, conducted from January to March 2019, in a health region comprised of 19 municipalities located in the state of Bahia, Brazil. The sample consisted of 241 PHC physicians and nurses. The CC care line was used as a tracer condition. The outcome experience length in PHC in the same municipality was chosen, categorized as < 2 years and ≥ 2 years and representative indicators of PHC quality. Pearson’s χ2 and Fisher’s exact tests were used.

Results

the prevalence of length of experience in PHC was 43.57% (95%CI: 37.40%; 49.94%) for < 2 years, and 56.43% (95%CI: 50.06%; 62.60%) for ≥ 2 years. There was a higher prevalence, with a statistically significant difference, of the quality indicators for the longest working length.

Conclusions and implications for practice

professional turnover seems to affect the longitudinal care of women in the chosen care line. It is suggested to expand the number and role of nurses, especially in PHC services, for greater resolution and efficiency of the health system.

Keywords:
Primary Health Care; Health Workforce; Cervical Cancer; Quality of Health Care; Regional Health Planning