Introduction:

Cervical cáncer is preventable through programs designed to identify and treatprecancerous lesions, thereby avoiding their progression. Primary prevention includes vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV), while secondary prevention involves Papapanocolaou smear testing in women.

Objective:

To identify the consequences of the restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic on screening and vaccination coverage for cervical cancer prevention in 2020 compared to 2019 at the Pampahasi Bajo Maternal and Child Health Center in La Paz, Bolivia.

Methodology:

A cross-sectional, quantitative, and descriptive study was conducted, analyzing data from March of 2019 and 2020. A total of 219 girls who received HPV vaccine doses and 506 women who underwent Pap smear testing were studied.

Results:

The percentage decrease in first-dose HPV vaccinations between 2019 and 2020 was 57%, and for second doses, 93%. Regarding Pap smear testing, the percentage difference between the two years was 37%.

Conclusions:

The COVID-19 pandemic marked a turning point, as health system efforts were redirected toward virus containment due to restriction measures. This shift significantly impacted routine care, particularly public cervical cancer screening and prevention programs.

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