title: [The understanding of users of a Family Health Unit about the pap smear test].
abstract: In the attempt to prevent cervical cancer, various preventive measures have been instituted, notable among which is the pap smear test, which fulfills the function of early detection of cancer cells or their precursors. Therefore, the objective was to investigate the discourse on the knowledge, feelings and expectations of women regarding the pap smear test. This is an exploratory qualitative approach, conducted with ten users of a Integrated Family Health Unit in the city of João Pessoa in the State of Paraíba. Data collection was conducted through recorded interviews in April 2011. Eight core ideas were identified: prevention of disease; self-motivated search, search recommended by another person; sense of shame and embarrassment, sensation of pain, feeling of satisfaction; conversations during the examination and exchange of knowledge about women's health. Based on the reports, there are many difficulties to be overcome to ensure greater adherence of women to the pap smear test.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, 58.052-230, Brazil.
authors.forename: Smalyanna Sgren da Costa
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Andrade
authors.forename: Fernanda Maria Chianca
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.forename: Maria do Socorro
authors.initials: Mdo S
authors.lastname: Sousa e Silva
authors.forename: Simone Helena dos Santos
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Kamila Nethielly Souza
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Leite
authors.forename: Merifane Januário
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: de Sousa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D014626:Vaginal Smears