Effect of a Special Examination Gown and Nature-Based Sounds on Anxiety in Women Undergoing a Gynecological Examination.

Many women feel anxiety about gynecological examination. The purpose of this semi-experimental study was to investigate the effect of a special examination gown and nature-based sounds on anxiety in women undergoing a gynecological examination. This study was conducted with three experimental groups and one control group. The randomized sampling method was used. The sample size was determined as 30 women for each group. Data were collected over 4 months from February 2015 to May 2015. Anxiety levels were assessed using the Status Anxiety Inventory Form (STAI, A-State). The STAI (A-State) score after the gynecological examination was quite low in the women in the experimental groups in comparison with the women in the control group ( F = 3.672, p = .001). It is remarkable that the anxiety levels of the women in the special examination gown + nature-based sounds group were especially lower than the women in the control group.

Tendo que se submeter ao exame Papanicolau regularmente: uma análise sob a ótica da desmedicalização / aving got to undergo the Pap Smear regularly: an analysis of the demedicalization perspective

Este estudo tem como objeto os significados atribuídos ao exame Papanicolau por mulheres a partir do processo de interação social. Atualmente, a estratégia mais eficaz no controle do câncer de colo de útero é o rastreamento pelo exame Papanicolau. Contudo, acredita-se que a percepção que as mulheres têm acerca deste tipo de exame, bem como os significados que são atribuídos a ele, influencia na realização do mesmo. Os objetivos deste estudo são: identificar os significados do exame Papanicolau para mulheres e analisar o processo de interação social dessas mulheres com o exame, no contexto do câncer do colo do útero, a partir dos significados por elas atribuídos. Trata-se de pesquisa descritiva e explicativa com abordagem qualitativa. A pesquisa foi realizada em locais públicos de grande circulação de pessoas, situados no município do Rio de Janeiro, devido àgrande diversidade de mulheres nesses locais. Contou com a participação de 10 mulheres que transitavam nesses locais, entre 25 a 64 anos e que já tinham iniciado a vida sexual, divididas em 2 grupos amostrais.Foram realizadas entrevistas com roteiro semiestruturado e os dados foram analisados segundo os pressupostos do interacionismo simbólico e da Grounded Theory. Projeto aprovado pelo CEP/UERJ 1.660.721. Os dados foram organizados em duas categorias que explicam o processo de interação social da mulher com o exame preventivo: "Reproduzindo o discurso de que o exame é importante para prevenção" e "Apesar das dificuldades, tendo que se submeter ao exame Papanicolau regularmente". Na primeira categoria, os dados mostram que as mulheres percebem o exame como uma forma de prevenir doenças em geral com a ideia de receio de agravo. Consideram o exame importante para diagnóstico precoce e prevenção de agravos e sustentam a importância da prevenção na perspectiva do diagnóstico para tratamento por convencimento. Na segunda categoria, as mulheres relatam os motivos que funcionam como barreiras para a realização do exame, tais como: vergonha e desconforto, falta de acesso, falta de sintomas e o impeditivo do trabalho, contudo, apesar disso, relatam realizar o exame regularmente. Emergiu no trabalho uma categoria central: "tendo que se submeter ao exame Papanicolau regularmente", em que fica evidenciado que, apesar de todas as dificuldades, a mulher realiza o exame de Papanicolau para prevenção. Desta forma, conclui-se que, mesmo que não seja de forma regular como preconizado pelos protocolos, a mulher se submete ao exame Papanicolau para prevenção de doenças. Ficou evidente, pelos dados, que é necessário promover atividades que vão além de orientações e informações sobre o câncer do colo do útero e a importância deste exame. É importante criar estratégias de promoção da saúde para estimular a autonomia das mulheres e o empoderamento do próprio corpo, para, assim, propiciar maior cobertura do exame através da adesão regular das mulheres.

This study has as its object the meanings attributed to the Pap smear by women from the process of social interaction. Currently, the most effective strategy in the control of cervical cancer is screening by the Pap smear. However, it is believed that the perception that women have about this type of examination, as well as the meanings that are attributed to it, influences itsexecution. The objectives of this study are: to identify the meanings of the Pap smear for women and to analyze the social interaction process of these women with the examination, in the context of cervical cancer, based on the meanings they assign. It is a descriptive and explanatory research with a qualitative approach. The research was carried out in public places of great circulation of people, located in the city of Rio de Janeiro, due to the great diversity of women around these places. It had the participation of 10 women who transited in these places, between 25 to 64 years and that had already begun their sexual life, separated in a 2 groups sample. Semi-structuredinterviews were conducted and the data were analyzed according to the assumptions of Symbolic Interactionism and Grounded Theory. Project was approved by CEP/UERJ 1.660.721. The data wereorganized in two categories that explain the process of social interaction of women with the Paptest: "Reproducing the discourse thatexamination is important for prevention" and "Despite the difficulties, having got to undergo the Pap smear regularly". In the first category, data showedthat women perceive the test as a way to prevent diseases in general with an idea of fear of any disorders. They consider the exam important for early diagnosis and prevention of diseases and they support the importance of prevention from the perspective of diagnosis for a treatment by professional convincing. In the second category, women reportedreasons that act as barriers to the examination, such as: embarrassment and discomfort, lack of access, lack of symptoms, and theirwork as a hampering; however, they report taking the exam regularly. A central category emerged at work: "having to undergo Pap smear regularly", which showed that despite all the difficulties women perform the Pap smear for prevention. Thus, it is concluded that, even if it is not in a regular way as recommended by the protocols, women undergo Pap smear for disease prevention. Data show that it is necessary to promote activities that would go beyond guidance, giving information about cervical cancer and the importance of this examination. It is important to create health promotion strategies to stimulate women's autonomy and body empowerment, so as to provide greater coverage of the examination through the regular adherence of women.

Gynaecological assessment and history taking.

Nurse practitioners (NPs) rarely undertake gynaecological histories or female genital examinations yet, by doing so, they can broaden their scope of practice. This article discusses what NPs should ask women about their gynaecological histories and how to undertake pelvic examinations, and reviews common gynaecological symptoms. Further articles will cover different aspects of the pelvic examination and potential differential diagnoses.

Injuries to the cervix in sexual assault victims.

Little research has addressed the types and meaning of genital injury in sexual assault victims. An even smaller amount of research exists documenting injury to the cervix in sexual assault victims. The purpose of this study was to examine the frequency of cervical injuries in women following sexual assault, the types of injuries seen, the mechanisms that are related to the injuries, and the types of injuries related to each mechanism. A retrospective chart review was conducted. A total of 538 charts were examined, with a final sample size of 114. Within this sample, 87.8% (n= 100) presented with no injury to the cervix, and 12.3% (n= 14) had documented injury. All statistical analyses were nonsignificant; however, clinical implications are noted. Recommendations for future research are made.