The cervix cancer tracking organization by a Family Health team in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: Organized cervix cancer tracking remains a challenge to be overcome across Brazil. Objective: To describe the intervention of a Family Health team to improve the quality of the actions to track this condition. Methods: The intervention was structured based on the national recommendations for the tracking of cervix cancer and the available evidence on how to improve popular participation in tracking programs. Functionalities of the electronic medical records were fundamental to the viability of this proposal. From the reorientation of care and administrative practices, an organized cervix cancer tracking program was established and maintained for 15 months in this Family Health team. Results: In the month prior to the beginning of the intervention, the health unit and programmatic area teams had a 10% average coverage of the target population screened. At the end of 15 months, the intervention team reached a 44% coverage, in contrast to the 22% average of the other teams in the unit, and 25% of the programmatic area. Conclusions: When a Family Health team undertakes efforts to organize the tracking of cervix cancer, good results can be achieved in increasing population coverage. We hope that every Family Health team may benefit for this publication and engage in organized cervix cancer tracking, contributing in this way to community’s health improvement.