We examined women's preferences regarding the use of chaperones during inti
mate examinations by a female doctor or nurse in community-based family pla
nning clinics. An anonymous questionnaire was completed before consultation
and examination by 126 women attending five family planning clinics select
ed to cover a range of social and ethnic groups. The questionnaire explored
women's views regarding intimate examinations by a woman and the presence
of a chaperone. A clear majority (107 vs 19) of our community clinic users
preferred to be alone with the woman doctor or nurse during an internal exa
mination. There was no significant difference in preference or strength of
feeling when analysed by age, ethnicity or previous experience.