Prevention of cervical cancer in a poor population in Brazil.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the possibility of providing a cervical screening facility to a poor population.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the period from December 1994 to December 1997, with 1384 women from the poor districts of Barretos, São Paulo and three other neighbouring cities. Performed by a nurse, the programme included door-to-door interviews and cervical screening.