Abstract
Background
Breast cancer (BC) is a public health problem due to its incidence and mortality, with the possibility of prevention and early detection and consequent improvement of the prognosis through the actions of the Family Health Strategy (FHS).
Objective
Investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (CAP) of FHS professionals on actions to control BC recommended by the Ministry of Health and their association with sociodemographic and training characteristics.
Method
Cross-sectional study with doctors and nurses from the FHS of Juiz de for a (MG, Brazil), using a self-administered structured questionnaire, in 2019. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test, with a significance level of 5%.
Results
A total of 170 professionals (93.0%) were surveyed, with a predominance of females (74.1%), aged 30 to 49 years (47.9%), and undergraduates older than 20 years (45.8%). Adequate CAP was 75.6%, 61.8%, and 78.4%, respectively. They had more adequate knowledge, younger professionals with better practices, and professionals with more time since graduation.
Conclusion
The study found important gaps in the process of continuing education for FHS professionals, resulting in a possible obstacle to better control of CM. The evaluation enables targeted health actions and better planning to face the CM.
Keywords:
health knowledge, attitudes, practice; breast neoplasms; mass screening