ATTITUDES TOWARDS PELVIC EXAMINATION IN A RANDOM SAMPLE OF SWEDISH WOMEN

Background. A pelvic examination is the most common procedure in gynec ological practice. A majority of women have negative experiences of su ch examinations. The aim of the present study was to explore attitudes to and experiences of pelvic examinations, as well as possible backgr ound factors to such attitudes and experiences. Methods. A postal inqu iry was sent to 788 randomly selected Swedish women, of fertile age. S ixty-seven per cent answered the questionnaire, which had 56 items and covered, inter alia, attitudes to and experiences of pelvic examinati ons, as well as possible background factors. Results. The women had po sitive, uniform attitudes to pelvic examinations in general, but negat ive experiences of the specific parts of the procedure. Women's attitu des to and experiences of pelvic examinations correlated. The experien ce of the first pelvic examination was more negative than the experien ce of the last. A negative experience in general and the experience of pain during the first pelvic examination correlated. The first pelvic examination emerged as a statistically powerful background factor for subsequent attitudes to pelvic examinations. Conclusions. Swedish wom en have positive attitudes to pelvic examination in spite of negative previous experiences. A powerful background factor for subsequent atti tudes to pelvic examination was the experience of the first one. A wom an's first pelvic examination should therefore be used as an opportuni ty to condition positive emotions and behaviors to the examination sit uation, as a basis for future positive experiences.