Title: [Cervical cytology in Soacha, Colombia: social representation, barriers and motivation]

POPLINE Document Number: 314418

Author(s):

Wiesner-Ceballos C
Vejarano-Velandia M
Caicedo-Mera JC
Tovar-Murillo SL
Cendales-Duarte R

Source citation:

Revista de Salud Publica, 2006 Nov;8(3):185-196.

Abstract:

A social representation of the Pap smear is given in this article, as are the barriers against it and the motivation for practicing it, aimed at adjusting preventative health services in a particular Colombian town. A phenomenological, qualitative study was carried out, using focal groups and workshops for validating the results. A theoretical sample was designed to find differences according to age, health system affiliation and dwelling place within the municipality in question. Atlas ti software was used for giving the analysis a narrative interpretation. The Pap smear is associated with infection and pre-cancer and cancer prevention. Cultural barriers, misinformation being spread by peers, a lack of social networks and the particularly poor quality of Colombian public health services were identified. Attempts to make the Pap smear as objective as possible were found to be satisfactory, even though no logical relationship was found between knowledge of the Pap smear and its practice. Older women have the social representation of risk implicit in an acute infection model. Lack of opportunity for a having a Pap smear appointment and delays in presenting the corresponding report have a negative impact on cancer control. (author's)

Spanish Abstract:

Presentar las representaciones sociales de la citología así como las barreras y las motivaciones, como punto de partida, para adecuar los servicios de prevención en un municipio de Colombia. Estudio cualitativo de tipo fenomenológico mediante el uso de grupos focales y talleres de validación. Se realizó un muestreo teórico para buscar diferencias según la edad, el tipo de afiliación al sistema de salud, antecedente de citología y tipo de comuna. Se realizó interpretación de las narrativas de las participantes y análisis mediante el uso de software Atas ti. La citología se asocia con la idea de infecciones, pre-cáncer y prevención de cáncer. Se identificaron barreras culturales, desinformación por pares, ausencia de redes sociales y, particularmente, mala calidad de algunos servicios de salud del sector público. El proceso de objetivación frente al examen citológico, se produce de manera satisfactoria aunque no hay una relación univoca entre conocimiento y práctica continua de la citología. Las mujeres mayores tienen representaciones de riesgo propio del modelo de las infecciones agudas La falta de oportunidad en la asignación de citas y entrega de resultados afecta la continuidad necesaria para el control del cáncer. (del autor)

Keywords:

Colombia
Research Report
Qualitative Research
Women
Pap Smear
Preventive Health Care
Cervical Effects
Culture
Quality of Health Care
Age Factors
Misinformation
Developing Countries
South America, Northern
South America
Latin America
Americas
Research Methodology
Demographic Factors
Population
Laboratory Examinations and Diagnoses
Examinations and Diagnoses
Medical Procedures
Medicine
Health Services
Delivery of Health Care
Health
Cervix
Uterus
Genitalia, Female
Genitalia
Urogenital System
Physiology
Biology
Sociocultural Factors
Health Services Evaluation
Program Evaluation
Programs
Organization and Administration
Population Characteristics
Communication