Breast Health Education for Health Workers: Priority in the Screening Program

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: the Community Health Agent (CHA) is a member of the community, linked to the Family Health Program, whose work consists of developing activities for disease prevention and health promotion through the educational activities of the people at home, counting under the supervision of health staff of the center from which proceeds. OBJECTIVE: To know the social and cultural profile of CHA in the region of Mooca linked to the Integrated Program for Breast Cancer Control of the Oswaldo Cruz Alemao Hospital (IPBCC- OCAH), on the occasion of the completion of a course on women s health. METHODS: Exploratory descriptive study was conducted for 204 CHA, as part of educational activities developed by IPBCC using self-administered questionnaire, voluntary and anonymous, composed of 23 closed and open questions. Results the mean age of CHA was 29. 8 + 2. 7 years (range, 18-60), predominantly female (n = 164, 80. 3%). Large numbers of them have completed high school (n = 142, 69. 6%) and a small group, attend the university (n = 14, 6. 8%). More than half (n = 134, 65. 6%) reported being married or in stable relationship, with an average of two children per couple. Regarding preventive care to breast health, among 50 women aged 40 or older, only 20 (36. 0%) had a mammogram on an annual basis (n = 16, 80. 0%). When assessing knowledge about breast cancer, aimed at identifying risk factors, 164 (80. 3%) respondents answered incorrectly, registering eight abstentions (3. 9%). Ninety-two CHA (45. 0%) did not identify mammography as the sole screening method. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified that the CHA does not have instruments, including all of the knowledge for the different dimensions of their work, particularly with regard to the promotion of breast health. These data reinforce the need to seek alternatives that favor the construction of educational programs leading to the incorporation of the concept of competence, which necessarily involves understanding the link between education and work.