Factors influencing the engagement of community health workers in breast cancer screening: Itaberaí Project

Authors

  • Mary Ann Monteiro Lopes Cassiano Primary Health Care Network, Itaberaí Municipal Health Department.
  • Ruffo Freitas-Junior CORA – Advanced Breast Diagnosis Center, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Brazilian Breast Cancer Research Network.
  • Renata Nunes da Silva Primary Health Care Network, Itaberaí Municipal Health Department.
  • Queila da Silva Ferreira Primary Health Care Network, Itaberaí Municipal Health Department.
  • Nicaella Eterna de Oliveira Santos Nascimento Primary Health Care Network, Itaberaí Municipal Health Department.
  • Luana Vieira Martins CORA – Advanced Breast Diagnosis Center, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Brazilian Breast Cancer Research Network.
  • Rosangela da Silveira Corrêa CORA – Advanced Breast Diagnosis Center, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Brazilian Breast Cancer Research Network.
  • Danielle Cristina Netto Rodrigues CORA – Advanced Breast Diagnosis Center, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Brazilian Breast Cancer Research Network.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29289/259453942024V34S1023

Keywords:

community health workers, work engagement, screening, breast cancer

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the factors influencing the engagement of community health agents
(CHW) in home visits for breast cancer screening, according to the actions of the Itaberaí Project. Methodology: This is
a clinical trial, controlled, randomized, multicenter, phase III, where the observation unit was the CHW in their National
Health Strategies (NHS). With randomization, CHW were randomly allocated into control group (CG) and intervention
group (IG), where the intervention is the physical breast examination (PBE) performed by properly trained CHAs. The evaluation was conducted using a group technique, where CHW were previously encouraged to report challenges and facilitators in participating in the Itaberaí Project. Data were categorized by content approximation, evaluated, and compared
between the groups. Results: Out of the 74 CHW active in the Project, 72 (91.1%) participated in this research, with 33
(45.8%) in the CG and 39 (54.2%) in the IG. In the CG, the most prevalent challenge was women’s acceptance to participate
in the Project, as reported by 33 CHW (100.0%), where the reasons were fears and taboos, delays in undergoing exams, and
having health insurance, with 14 (42.4%), 13 (39.4%), and 6 (18.2%), respectively. The most common facilitators for executing the Project reported by CHW were helping others and saving lives 25 (75.8%), recognition and appreciation of CHW
23 (69.7%), and ongoing training 22 (66.7%). In the IG, the most prevalent challenge was women’s resistance to receiving
the PBE, while the least prevalent was CHW insecurity in performing the PBE. Among the facilitators, the most prevalent
was prompt service 28 (70.0%). Conclusion: The factor that most influences the engagement of CHAs in carrying out the
Itaberaí Project is “saving lives” or “helping others.” However, they still encounter resistance from women due to fears and
taboos regarding breast cancer.

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Published

2026-03-05

How to Cite

Cassiano, M. A. M. L., Freitas-Junior, R., Silva, R. N. da, Ferreira, Q. da S., Nascimento, N. E. de O. S., Martins, L. V., … Rodrigues, D. C. N. (2026). Factors influencing the engagement of community health workers in breast cancer screening: Itaberaí Project. Mastology, 34(suppl. 1). https://doi.org/10.29289/259453942024V34S1023

Issue

Vol. 34 No. suppl. 1 (2024)

Section

Commented Poster

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Mary Ann Monteiro Lopes Cassiano, Ruffo Freitas-Junior, Renata Nunes da Silva, Queila da Silva Ferreira, Nicaella Eterna de Oliveira Santos Nascimento, Luana Vieira Martins, Rosangela da Silveira Corrêa, Danielle Cristina Netto Rodrigues

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.