Socioeconomic inequalities in access to cervical citology exam in Brazil

Saes, Mirelle

Socioeconomic inequalities in access to cervical citology exam in Brazil

Wednesday, 20 August 2014: 11:30 AM

Ballroom C (Dena'ina Center)

Mirelle O Saes, MS , Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil

Suele M Silva, PhD , Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil

Bruno P Nunes, MS , Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil

Elaine Tomasi, PhD , Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil

Elaine Thumé, PhD , Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil

Fernando V Siqueira, PhD , Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil

Denise S Silveira, PhD , Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil

Pâmela Volz, MS , Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil

Luiz A Facchini, PhD , Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil

INTRODUCTION: Cervical cancer is the second most common among women in the world, and its incidence is approximately two times higher in developing countries. Regular cervical citology exam continues being the most widely adopted strategy for screening, but the coverage of this test in Brazil is still below that recommended by the World Health Organization, with significant socioeconomic differences.

METHODS: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of cervical citology exam and its association with socioeconomic conditions. In 2008-2009 was conducted an epidemiological population-based study nationally representative with 5,558 women aged 25-59 years. Data collection was conducted in households. It was adopted as dependent variable performing cervical cytology test in the three years previous the interview. Independent variables were skin color, educational level and income. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee in Research.

RESULTS: The prevalence of performing cervical cytology exam was 71.8% (95%CI: 70.6 , 72.9). The screening test was significantly lower among black skin color (69.8%, p<0.001). The access to the exam decrease between women with less educational level and less income (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of the examination was low and significant socioeconomic inequalities were observed. The increasing coverage of the exam and the strengthening of shares advice for prevention of cervical cancer in vulnerable groups are important to reduce inequalities in access to exam.