Katarina Swahnberg1, Barbro Wijma, Karin Siwe. 1. Division of Gender and Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, S-581 83 Linkoping, Sweden. katarina.berg@liu.se
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To study factors associated with strong discomfort during vaginal examinations (SD/VE) by means of four hypotheses. STUDY DESIGN: A cross sectional postal questionnaire study, conducted at three Swedish departments of obstetrics and gynaecology and with a random population sample (n=4453). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The associations between a self-reported history of emotional, physical and sexual abuse and abuse in health care, flashbacks during the previous year, emotional contact with the examiner, and SD/VE during the index visit (discomfort estimated on a ten-point scale; six-ten=SD). Statistical analyses used were Chi-square, Binary logistic regression, and Pearson Correlation. RESULTS: Eighteen percent of the women reported SD/VE. There was an association between SD/VE and a lifetime history of abuse. Having experienced combinations of abuse, especially combinations including emotional abuse and abuse in health care, was strongly associated with SD/VE. SD/VE was furthermore associated with flashbacks during the previous year, and negative emotional contact with the examiner during the index visit. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that women who unexpectedly react with SD/VE are more likely to have a background of abuse, and may even run a risk of feeling re-traumatised during the VE. A clinical implication is to consider a history of abuse in patients who react with SD/VE or experience negative emotional contact during the consultation.
OBJECTIVE: To study factors associated with strong discomfort during vaginal examinations (SD/VE) by means of four hypotheses. STUDY DESIGN: A cross sectional postal questionnaire study, conducted at three Swedish departments of obstetrics and gynaecology and with a random population sample (n=4453). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The associations between a self-reported history of emotional, physical and sexual abuse and abuse in health care, flashbacks during the previous year, emotional contact with the examiner, and SD/VE during the index visit (discomfort estimated on a ten-point scale; six-ten=SD). Statistical analyses used were Chi-square, Binary logistic regression, and Pearson Correlation. RESULTS: Eighteen percent of the women reported SD/VE. There was an association between SD/VE and a lifetime history of abuse. Having experienced combinations of abuse, especially combinations including emotional abuse and abuse in health care, was strongly associated with SD/VE. SD/VE was furthermore associated with flashbacks during the previous year, and negative emotional contact with the examiner during the index visit. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that women who unexpectedly react with SD/VE are more likely to have a background of abuse, and may even run a risk of feeling re-traumatised during the VE. A clinical implication is to consider a history of abuse in patients who react with SD/VE or experience negative emotional contact during the consultation.
Authors: Melianthe P J Nicolai; Josbert J Keller; Lieke de Vries; Andrea E van der Meulen-de Jong; Jan J Nicolai; James C H Hardwick; Hein Putter; Rob C M Pelger; Henk W Elzevier Journal: PLoS One Date: 2014-01-15 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Samaneh Dabagh-Fekri; Leila Amiri Farahani; Fatemeh Bazarganipour; Seyedeh Batool Hasanpoor-Azghady Journal: J Family Med Prim Care Date: 2018 Nov-Dec