Cobertura da mamografia e percepções das mulheres sobre a realização do exame em um município do norte gaúcho

Abstract

Introduction: The Ministry of Health recommends that women between 50 and 69 years old undergo screening mammography every two years, aiming at the early detection of breast cancer, which is the main cause of death among women. Objective: To assess mammography coverage and women's perceptions about performing the exam in a municipality in northern Rio Grande do Sul, in order to draw up an active search, monitoring and guidance plan. Methods: This is a quantitative, observational, cross-sectional study of a descriptive nature, carried out between march and december 2022 at the Family Health Strategy (ESF) São José Operário, located in the municipality of Marau, in the north of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. A questionnaire was used for data collection, with the main variables being identification and sociodemographic characteristics, life habits and health conditions, mammography history. Statistical analysis was conducted using Excel 2013 and R version 4.0.2, and consisted of descriptive statistics with the presentation of absolute (n) and relative (%) frequencies. Results: The sample consisted of 183 users, all aged between 50 and 69 years. There was a predominance of white women (82%), and it was observed that more than half are aged between 50 and 59 years (59%), with only 23% having completed high school, and 63.4 % had a spouse. The coverage of the mammography exam in the assessed age group was 72.1%, some factors were observed that interfere with adherence to the exam, such as lack of guidance, excessive concern and fear. Conclusion: Finally, there was low adherence to mammography among the female public, either due to lack of information, guidance, or fear, shame and excessive concern. Faced with this reality, educational actions are considered an effective strategy to sensitize, raise awareness and mobilize the female public.