The cervical cancer has high prevalence and mortality rates, and the main strategy of screening is the pap smears. Joining the examination is still far from the recommended coverage. This study aimed to understand the barriers that lead women of childbearing age in the city of Vitoria da Conquista-BA not to perform pap smears in the perspective of the women and health professionals. Descriptive qualitative study was exploratory, with data collected between April-May 2014, with semi-structured interviews with health professionals 12 and 14 users. Thematic categorical analysis, which revealed the following barriers for not undergoing the test was applied: insufficient knowledge, negative feelings, lack of attitude, aspects linked to health care and inclusion of women in the labor market services. The congruence and incongruence of meanings that emerge allow a path that transforms the practice of health care and the needs of those professional women.
vaginal smears; uterine cervical diseases; family health
