OFICINAS FORMATIVAS PARA O AGENTE COMUNITÁRIO DE SAÚDE NA PREVENÇÃO DO CÂNCER DE COLO UTERINO

UM RELATO DE EXPERIÊNCIA

Abstract

Cervical cancer is the third leading cause of death among women in Brazil, representing a serious public health issue. Community Health Agents (CHAs) play a pivotal role in cervical cancer screening through health education. This article reports on the experience of students from the Federal University of the São Francisco Valley (UNIVASF) during health training workshops with CHAs from the Dr. Gaudêncio José do Nascimento Basic Health Unit in Petrolina, Pernambuco. It describes training workshops organized by UNIVASF nursing and medical students for CHAs in May 2023; the 11 participating CHAs showed interest and up-to-date knowledge on the subject, and their questions were fully addressed. Following the workshops, the CHAs expressed confidence in their ability to provide guidance to the female population in their service areas. The workshops facilitated further activities supporting cervical cancer control, such as scheduling 63 cytopathology exams, actively seeking out children unvaccinated against HPV, and administering 30 vaccine doses during a joint effort involving the Basic Health Unit and local schools. These activities yielded enriching and significant benefits for all involved, expanding and improving comprehensive women's health care and cervical cancer prevention, thereby advancing a key goal of Brazil's health agenda: the control of cervical cancer.