Women's health evaluation by a family health program in a municipal health center in Rio Grande do Sul State - Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia

Purpose: This epidemiological census on health conditions of women ranging from 20 to 49 years of age was carried out at Vila Santos Dumont, Pelotas, RS, in order to quantify actions to reorganize the service developed at the local health center. Methods: Information was collected regarding age, level of education, if living with a partner, health service utilization, antenatal care characteristics, cervical cancer screening, physical breast examination and contraceptive methods used. Results: Among the 411 women, 343 (83.5%) had a medical visit during the last year. There were 18 (4.4%) pregnant women. Eighty percent of the women had a cervical smear in the past three years. We found that 47.4% of the women had their breast examined in the last year. Among the 279 women currently using some contraceptive method, 62.4% used the pill, 14.0% had performed surgical sterilization and 7.9% used IUD. Conclusions: This study was women’s health diagnosis. It became possible to incorporate the epidemiological method in the health center care planning. We discuss some health actions developed to improve the community care.