Priscila Lawrenz

Illness Perception, Knowledge and Self-Care about Cervical Cancer

Prevention plays a central role in early detection of cervical cancer. Common Sense Model proposes that the nature and organization of illness representations can guide actions related to health and how self-care is exercised. The aim of this study was to describe and compare illness perception, knowledge and self-care in women with and without cancer precursor lesions. Participants were 92 women (aged 18-59) from primary care unity divided into two groups: women with and without premalignant lesion. Measures for illness perception, knowledge and self-care were used. There was no statistically significant difference (t test e chi-square test) between groups in the variables analyzed. Despite the risk for cervical cancer, women with precursor lesions do not adjust their illness perceptions, knowledge and self-care to the situation. These data show the need to warn women against the cervical cancer risks, because their distorted perceptions and lack of knowledge about the disease may hamper the screening and control of cervical cancer.

Os motivos da escolha do fogo nas tentativas de suicídio realizadas por mulheres

The purpose of this study was to understand the meaning of choosing fi re as an option for attempted suicide among women. Participants were eight women who suffered self-infl icted burns and went under care for outpatient repair of burn scars at an hospital. Participants answered a semi-structured interview about the stories of their life, the moment and motivations to commit that act and a sociodemographic 1 Endereco para correspondencia: Centro de Ciencias da Saude, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, Avenida Unisinos, 950, Sala 2B 112, Bairro Cristo Rei, Sao Leopoldo, RS, Brasil 93022-000. E-mail: elisa. kerndecastro@gmail.com e karine.psico@yahoo.com.br Agencia de Financiamento: Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, bolsa pro-mestre. Agradecimentos: as autoras agradecem a Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos pela concessao do auxilio fi nanceiro ‘Pro-mestre’ para a realizacao do mestrado da primeira autora. O presente trabalho e parte da dissertacao de mestrado da primeira autora, sob orientacao da segunda autora, apresentado no Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Psicologia da Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos. Castro, E. K., Maciel, K. V., Lawrenz, P. 196 and clinical data questionnaire. Results showed that the choice of fi re was sometimes premeditated, but not always. For those women who premeditated the act, fi re was chosen because it would be an effective method of suicide. For those who set fi re without premeditation, the use of fi re seems to have been an impulsive moment of confl ict and anger, a way to call the attention of someone close, especially the partner and children. They had no knowledge of burn scars and subsequent treatment and recovery.The purpose of this study was to understand the meaning of choosing fi re as an option for attempted suicide among women. Participants were eight women who suffered self-infl icted burns and went under care for outpatient repair of burn scars at an hospital. Participants answered a semi-structured interview about the stories of their life, the moment and motivations to commit that act and a sociodemographic