Women’s knowledge about HPV and cervical cancer after nursing consultation

Abstract

Objective: To identify women's knowledge about HPV and cervical cancer after a nursing consultation. Method: This is a descriptive study with a qualitative approach that took place in two Basic Health Units located in the municipality of Igrejinha-RS between the months of August and September 2021. The instrument used for data collection was the semi-structured interview. Results: Ten women who had undergone a nursing consultation for cytopathology collection participated in the research. As a result, it was possible to highlight in the health unit under study the lack of adequate knowledge among the female population regarding the relationship, symptoms, transmission, prevention of HPV and cervical cancer, which may be linked to low income and education. It was also identified that the nursing consultation in this scenario to collect material for carrying out the cytopathological examination does not address educational activities regarding HPV and cervical cancer, which reveals a weakness in nursing care. Conclusions: The evidence suggests expanding the research to other basic units in the same municipality and there is still a need for measures to propose strategies that can bring greater knowledge to the population covered in the study. It is recommended that new studies be carried out on the topic and it is expected that these results will serve the interests and needs of nurses and society.   Keywords: Papillomaviridae; Primary Health Care; Nursing.