Reasons for never receiving a pap test among Brazilian women: National health survey

Objective To identify reasons among Brazilian women for never having a Pap test. Design We designed a cross-sectional study that used data from the National Health Survey. Sample Two thousand four hundred and two women 25-64 years old who never had a pap test. Measures Variables were age, race, education, marital status, housing condition, primary health care access, health insurance, self-perceived health, and social support network. We calculated the prevalence of different reasons and odds ratios for each. Results The most frequent reason for never having a test were linked to women thinking the test was unnecessary (42.3%) which had a significant association with marital status (OR = 1.52; 95% CI = 1.07-1.91), age (OR = 1.56; 95% CI = 1.21-1.99), area of residence (OR = 1.15; 95% CI = 1.02-1.39), having a health insurance (OR = 1.18; 95% CI = 1.01-1.36), and self-perceived health (OR = 1.42; 95% CI = 1.28-1.56). The second most frequent reason was not knowing they needed a test (22.9%) which was associated with age (OR = 1.95; 95% CI = 1.74-2.16) and self-perceived health (OR = 1.56; 95% CI = 1.33-1.80). Conclusions The findings suggest lack of knowledge about cervical cancer and its prevention among Brazilian women. We consider it essential that the health service can provide the test, as well as the necessary guidelines for raising the awareness of the target audience.