Primary Health Care and Cervical Cancer Mortality Rates in Brazil: A Longitudinal Ecological Study

J Ambul Care Manage. 2017 Apr/Jun;40 Suppl 2 Supplement, The Brazilian National Program for Improving Primary Care Access and Quality (PMAQ)(2 Suppl):S24-S34. doi: 10.1097/JAC.0000000000000185.

Abstract

Cervical cancer is a common neoplasm that is responsible for nearly 230 000 deaths annually in Brazil. Despite this burden, cervical cancer is considered preventable with appropriate care. We conducted a longitudinal ecological study from 2002 to 2012 to examine the relationship between the delivery of preventive primary care and cervical cancer mortality rates in Brazil. Brazilian states and the federal district were the unit of analysis (N = 27). Results suggest that primary health care has contributed to reducing cervical cancer mortality rates in Brazil; however, the full potential of preventive care has yet to be realized.

MeSH terms

  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Mass Screening
  • Mortality / trends*
  • Preventive Medicine
  • Primary Health Care*
  • Quality of Health Care
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / mortality*