ABSTRACT
UNLABELLED: The gynecological examination is a key element in the diagnosis of the most genitourinary disorders. Improving how women experience the first gynecological examination (FGE) should have a significant impact on their perception of this examination and on their general feeling about it afterwards. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to describe the general feeling of Cameroonian women towards the FGE and to identify the factors associated with negative feelings. METHODOLOGY: In this one-month survey study, we asked patients to complete a questionnaire about how they had experienced the FGE. The answers have been analyzed and the factors influencing the way they experience this examination determined. RESULTS: At the end of the FGE, 41.5% of the women had negative feelings, and 38.6% reported that the examination had been painful. The average age of women who experienced pain was younger than that of those who did not [19.4 vs 20.39 years, P = 0.029], as was that of women with negative feelings lower [19.41 vs 20.43 years, P = 0.024]. A negative experience was significantly associated with a painful examination [P≤0.001], an examiner not specialized in gynecology [P = 0.04], lack of information [P = 0.001], and lack of a separate room to undress [P = 0.038]. The rate of subsequent refusals of a gynecological examination was higher among women with a negative first experience [56.2% vs. 35.9%, P = 0.008]. CONCLUSION: The FGE is experienced by Cameroonian women as very difficult. Their feelings at the end of this examination significantly influences their behavior towards gynecological examinations in general.