Determination of attitudes with gynecologic examination and anxiety of Turkish women before gynecologic examination

Objective: This study was planned with the purpose determination of attitudes with gynecologic examination and anxiety of Turkish women before gynecologic examination. Material & Methods: The sample of this descriptive and cross-sectional constituted by 240 women, applying for gynecologic examination in Gynecologic Policlinic of Ordu Maternity-Gynecologic and Child Hospital of who accepted to participate in the research. The data were collected with of a questionnarie form and State Anxiety Inventory. This study was made between the dates of 4 April- 30 May 2006. In the analysis of data, frequency, percentage, standart deviation, arithmetic mean, Kruskal wallis test, t test, ANOVA varience analysis, Mann –Whitney U test and Chi square test were used. Results: In the research, it was determined that the state axiety average point of women is 43.85 ± 5,41 . It was been that level anxiety of women before gynecologic examination was “middle level anxiety”. It was found that there is a significant between state anxiety inventory points according to the job and gynecologic examination experience of women order in the family with state anxiety (P=,000 ). Doctor’s knowledge and capability (63,8%), doctor’s knowledge giving (44,6%) and doctor’s complaisant (41,7%) were important in women’ doctor preferring for gynecologic examination. It was found that 37,5% of the women desired only doctor and 37,1% of the women desired their husband during gynecologic examination . It was determined that women felt uncomfortable because of nakedness genital organs of them (67,1%) and negatif communication between doctor and women (39,6%) in previously gynecologic examination. Women perceived feelings as embarrassment (62,5%), distress (38,8%), fear (37,9%), pain (21,7%) during gynecologic examination. Expectations of women from health professionals during gynecologic examination were complaisant (45,0%), interest (28,3%), perceptiveness (24,2%). Conclusion: This study provides information about attitudes with gynecologic examination and anxiety levels of women before gynecologic examination that may inform health personnel’ practices and also for future research.