OBJECTIVE:
to analyse factors associated with Pap smear non-adherence among women aged 25-59 living in areas covered by the Family Health Strategy in Feira de Santana-BA, Brazil, 2010.
METHODS:
cross sectional study using random conglomerate sampling, 230 women were interviewed. Descriptive analysis was conducted by stratum of interest. Non-adherence prevalence and prevalence rate and prevalence rate ratios were estimated.
RESULTS:
12.6% of women had not had a Pap smear in the last three years or had never had this examination. Non-adherence was significantly associated to women who had never gone to school, had four or more children, four or more childbirths, did not use contraception and had inadequate knowledge about the examination.
CONCLUSION:
we found a high proportion of adherence to Pap smears. However, coverage for women with risk factors for developing cervical cancer, such as low education and multiple childbirths, was below expected.
Vaginal Smears; Secondary Prevention; Women's Health; Public Health
