Nursing students perception on Papanicolaou test

Abstract

The cervical cancer is a malign neoplasm that occurs frequently in Brazil and it is the cause of many deaths. There are several risk factors that lead to cervical cancer, even though it can be prevented if diagnosed early on. This study aimed to understand nursing students' experiences with the Pap test and to identify their knowledge about this procedure's importance, its frequency and the feelings experienced during the test's performance. This is a descriptive research with a qualitative approach conducted with 20 students of a nursing school in the state of Goiás' countryside. First year students were chosen as they had been recently admitted to the university; second and third year's as they are in the process of specialization, in an internship program and understand better the course's routine; last year students because they are close to course's completion. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews. The results indicated that the shame, embarrassment and discomfort experienced by the students were not an obstacle to perform the test and that they are aware of its importance to the disease's prevention. The statements obtained allow us to reflect on the need to rethink the practice of Pap smear and to ensure that its procedures associate care with a humane conduct as it is an essential test to cervical cancer prevention and control