NURSE’S ACTIONS IN THE ACTIVE OUTREACH OF PATIENTS FOR THE PAP SMEAR TEST: CHALLENGES FACED AND STRATEGIES TO OVERCOME THEM

Abstract

Despite the existence of effective prevention strategies and early diagnosis through the Pap smear test, cervical cancer remains a significant public health issue. In this context, the role of nurses in Primary Health Care is essential to increase women's adherence to screening, especially through active outreach strategies. This study aimed to discuss the challenges and opportunities related to nurses’ performance in the active search for patients to undergo the Pap smear test, identifying strategies capable of increasing cervical cancer screening coverage. This is an integrative literature review with a descriptive and qualitative approach, conducted using the Virtual Health Library (VHL) and PubMed databases. Studies published between 2019 and 2024, in Portuguese and English, addressing nursing performance in active outreach and cervical cancer screening were selected. The final sample consisted of 14 studies. The findings demonstrated that the effectiveness of active outreach actions is directly influenced by structural, organizational, and sociocultural factors. The main challenges identified included workload overload, shortages of human and material resources, limited access to health services, as well as fear, embarrassment, and lack of information among users. However, strategies such as health education, humanized care, strengthening community bonds, the use of digital technologies, and the implementation of care protocols proved effective in increasing adherence to the examination. It was concluded that nurses play a strategic role in promoting women’s health, being fundamental to prevention, early diagnosis, and the reduction of morbidity and mortality associated with cervical cancer.