OBJECTIVE:

To identify the personal, cultural and institutional barriers associated with patients' lack of interest in knowing (obtaining) the report of the Papanicolaou test.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Observational, analytical, case-control study carried out in the Moyopampa Health Center, district of Lurigancho-Chosica, in Lima-Peru, during December 2022. The sample consisted of cases (patients who did not obtain the report of the last Papanicolaou test performed in the last two years) and controls (patients who came to obtain their report). Study parameters: personal, cultural and institutional barriers recorded in a previously validated questionnaire. The association between variables was estimated with Pearson&apos;s χ² and Fisher&apos;s exact test, odds ratio with 95% confidence interval and p < 0.05.

RESULTS:

138 cases and 138 controls were examined. Regarding personal barriers, age 25-35 years was significantly associated with disinterest in reporting (MR = 0.021; 95%CI: 0.35-0.92; p = 0.021). Lack of education or having attended only primary school was associated with disinterest in collecting Pap smear reports (MR = 2.83; 95%CI: 1.30-6.15; p = 0.007); not having heard of the Pap smear was associated with disinterest in collecting Pap smear reports (MR = 2.83; 95%CI: 1.30-6.15; p = 0.007); not having heard of the Pap smear was associated with disinterest in collecting Pap smear reports (MR = 2.83; 95%CI: 1.30-6.15; p = 0.007). 007); not having heard of human papillomavirus (HPV) (MR = 2.56; 95%CI: 1.17-5.60; p = 0.016); and having difficulty because of work schedule (MR = 2.01; 95%CI: 1.23-3.27; p = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS:

Personal barriers, such as low educational level, lack of knowledge about human papillomavirus, and difficulties related to work schedule, increased the likelihood of not attending to receive the test report.