Abstract

MONSALVE-PAEZ, Solange et al. Patient experiences regarding ASCUS or low grade SIL cervicovaginal cytology results in two institutions in Bogotá (Colombia), 2014. Rev Colomb Obstet Ginecol [online]. 2015, vol.66, n.1, pp.14-21. ISSN 0034-7434.  https://doi.org/10.18597/rcog.3.

Objective: To describe patient k nowledge regarding the use of cytology, as well as the emotions and behaviours elicited by a positive vaginal cytology result of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) or low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LG-SIL). Materials and methods: Qualitative phenomenolog ical research aimed at identif y ing experiences among women between 18 and 69 years of age presenting for the first time because of a cervicovaginal cytology finding of ASCUS or LG-SIL to the cervical pathology units of two intermediate complexity centres in Bogota, one of them a public institution and the other a private outpatient centre. The sample size was determined by theoretical saturation on the basis of a consecutive sampling. Focus groups and inter views were conducted, and the information was recorded and transcribed afterwards. Categories were created for experience assessment: socio-demographic and affective characteristics, cognition, and behaviour. Editing was used for a narrative analysis style in order to organize the information gathered for synthesis and interpretation purposes. Results: Twenty-seven women were included. An abnormal cytology result gives rise to feelings of guilt and is associated with anxiety and fear of having cervical cancer, given that it is not clear to them that cervicovaginal cytology is a screening test. The main behaviour after receiving the cytology result was to give priority to the medical appointment. There are changes in the relationships with the partners due to perceived infidelity secondary to HPV infection. Conclusions: Cervicovaginal cytology is is considered by patients of the greatest importance and mandatory given the need to prevent and treat cervical cancer.

Keywords : Cytology; qualitative research; emotional response.

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