Knowledge about cervical cancer in young Portuguese women: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Health literacy is crucial to adherence to medical interventions in therapeutics, prevention, and diagnosis. The basis for literacy is knowledge. To accomplish the goals for the elimination of cervical cancer, one of the most prevalent and preventable cancers, we must understand the determinants of non-adherence and address them specifically to ensure patients' active participation. Aim: To determine women's knowledge regarding the manifestations of cervical cancer and its prevention. Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in an urban population from northern Portugal. Women aged 18 to 30 years were randomly assigned to answer the Cervical Cancer Awareness Measure questionnaire, including questions of knowledge about the causes and symptoms of cervical cancer, prospecting for individual and social-related determinants. Results: The total number of participants was 270, with a mean age of 24.7 years. Knowledge about symptoms scored 5.4 ± 2.6, with a maximum of 12 points, and knowledge about the causes scored 5.7 ± 1.9, with a maximum of 11 points. The correlation between both was 0.334. High education, high socio-economic status, self-perception of one's capacity to recognize symptoms, and knowledge about the HPV vaccine were associated with better knowledge. Discussion: Portuguese women present low knowledge about cervical cancer, potentially affecting their health through exposure to risk situations and non-adherence to routine screening.

[Smoking and cardiovascular risk factors in Barão do Corvo Health Center]. / Tabagismo e factores de risco cardiovascular no Centro de Saúde de Barão do Corvo.

INTRODUCTION: Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death and is associated with an increased risk of various diseases. The 2005-2006 National Health Survey revealed a national prevalence of 19.6% of active smokers. As a cardiovascular risk factor (CVRF), it as an independent role, for sudden death as for myocardial infarction. GOALS: To assess the prevalence and characteristics of smoking behavior of users using the Barão do Corvo Health Center (BCHC), and its relationship with other CVRF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Observational study, cross-sectional analysis. Collection of data through survey applied to 502 users users CSBC, aged = 18 years. Non-random sample of convenience. RESULTS: In the sample we found 17.9% active smokers and 17.3% ex-smokers. In active smokers, 80% smoked between 1 to 25 cigarettes per day. 48% of respondents started smoking between 15 and 19 years. The abandonment of consumption occurred mainly between 35 and 44 years (24.7%) and was earlier in women (41.7% stopped smoking between 25 and 34 years). As for CVRF, there was a prevalence of smoking in hypertensive patients of 12.9%, 9.4% in diabetic patients, 12.3% of users with hypercholesterolaemia, 13.9% of users who had BMI > or = 25 and 20.5 % in sedentary. DISCUSSION: Compared with data from the population, the prevalence of active smokers is lower in the BCHC and ex-smokers is higher, the daily consumption of tobacco is also lower. The age of initiation of consumption was similar to national data, and age of abandonment was delayed, which is mostly between 35 and 44 years. The women left the tobacco earlier, and the most prevalent age group here was of 25 to 34 years, leading to think about a possible relationship with motherhood or reproductive age. For other CVRF studied, there was a lower prevalence of smokers in the groups of hypertension, diabetes, users with hypercholesterolaemia and overweight and obese users - this relationship was statistically significant. Is the promotion of healthy lifestyle in these groups taking effect?