Notification of cytopathological exams in the Unaí, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract

The onset of sexual activity in adolescence suggests an important cause for the increased prevalence of HPV and lesions caused by its infection, such as cervical cancer. Cervicovaginal cytopathological exam is considered the main prevention and early detection strategy for this type of cancer and precursor lesions. The aim of this study was to present the clinical and epidemiological profile of cytopathological tests carried out by adolescents aged 15-19 years in the city of Unaí, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The methodological processes were established in an epidemiological, descriptive, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach. The study population consisted of 195 cytopathological tests from teenagers, aged 15-19 years, corresponding to an adolescent public with active sexual activity, registered in SISCAN according to the tests reported in SISCOLO between 2014-2020. Analyzing the data, it was possible to verify a low adherence of adolescents to preventive exam, that performance of cytopathological exams was conducted mainly for screening (89.8%, n = 175), and that 71.3% (n = 139) were not considered within normal limits, so it can be concluded that there should be a reduction in the minimum age for the preventive exam, in addition to greater emphasis on health education actions for young women.