Health beliefs related to cervical cancer

Background: The increase in the prevalence of oncological diseases such as cervical cancer (CC) makes it a worldwide public health problem involving resources in the area of prevention. Objectives: To determine the influence of sociodemographic variables, gynecological and sexual context on health beliefs related to cervical cancer. Methodology: It is a quantitative, descriptive-correlational study. The data collection protocol was the questionnaire that allowed to characterize the sample in the gynecological, sexual and sociodemographic dimensions. We also use the Health Beliefs Scale, composed of four dimensions: vulnerability, severity, benefits and obstacles (Patrão Leal, 2002). The sample is non-probabilistic for convenience, consisting of 946 participants. Results: Regarding the vulnerability dimension, significant statistical differences were found in the variables, having gynecological problems, frequency in the frequency of gynecological consultations, using contraceptive methods, existence of family members with CC. For the severity dimension, significant statistical differences were found for the variables, frequency of gynecological consultations and use of contraceptive methods. In the benefits dimension, statistical significance was found for age (adults) and using contraceptive methods. For the obstacles dimension, we found statistical significance for the frequency of frequency of gynecological consultations and the beginning of sexual activity. Conclusions: Understanding individual aspects involved in the prevention of CC is essential for individualized care, since these aspects are subjective in nature and require different actions.