Presence of Chaperones during Pelvic Examinations in Southeast Nigeria: Women's Opinions; Attitude; and Preferences

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To assess the opinions; attitude; and preferences of Nigerian women to the presence of chaperones during pelvic examinations.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey of first time gynecology clinic attendees on their opinions; attitudes; and preferences with respect to the presence of chaperones during their pelvic examinations. The interview was conducted with the aid of semi-structured; researcher-administered questionnaires.Results: One hundred and nineteen (51.7) of the respondents preferred female physicians for pelvic examination; 23 (10) preferred male physicians and 88 (38.3) had no gender preference. When the examining physician is a male; 124 (53.9) respondents would like to have chaperones during pelvic examinations while 106 (46.1) would not. Eighty-three percent of respondents preferred nurse chaperones. Age; level of education; and parity did not have any significant relationship with the attitude of the respondents toward the presence of chaperones (P = 0.503; 0.525; and 0.605 respectively).Conclusions: We conclude that most southeastern Nigerian women would prefer their pelvic examinations to be done by a female physician or to be attended by a nurse chaperone if the examining physician is a male. We recommend a routine offer of chaperones during such examinations while respecting the patients' right to refuse the offer