Subject(s)
School Health Services , Sex Education , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Morals , Religion and Sex , United StatesABSTRACT
Most women commonly take an abnormal Pap smear to be indicative of invasive cancer. This fear can permeate their lifestyle to the degree that it may influence receptivity to medical procedures as well as promote cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) to invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. This longitudinal study was undertaken to provide baseline data on self-esteem and body image as the patient progresses from the initial visit through the postsurgery visit. Twenty patients ranging in age from 15 to 40 years were followed through diagnosis and treatment with colposcopic biopsy showing 25% CIN I, 45% CIN II, and 30% CIN III. Concern for cancer overrode all other concerns except during the postsurgery visit, at which time loss of attractiveness was paramount. Loss of sexual functioning ranked high in all visits. Self-esteem was lowest and anxiety highest during the initial and postsurgery visits. Positive body image was greatest when the results of the biopsy were received and during the postsurgery visit. Patients and sexual partners exhibited similar patterns of anxiety about the medical condition. Psychological repercussions from CIN occurred even prior to diagnosis.
Subject(s)
Body Image , Self Concept , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/psychology , Adolescent , Adult , Anxiety , Attitude to Health , Colposcopy , Contraception/methods , Female , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Parity , Sexual Behavior , Sexual Partners/psychology , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/diagnosis , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/surgerySubject(s)
Health Status Indicators , Microcomputers , Adult , Demography , Female , Humans , Life Style , Male , Middle Aged , Risk Factors , Software , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Current interest in health and wellness combined with the proliferation of Health Risk Appraisals (HRAs) has made classroom use of such instruments increase rapidly in recent years. This study compared two HRAs in terms of appraised age, attainable age, the list of positive lifestyle factors for reinforcement, the list of lifestyle factors to be changed, and the variables of desirable weight and blood pressure as well as observed differences in display and unique comment characteristics. One hundred and thirty-three students at a large southeastern university comprised the sample. Though no significant differences were found in appraised age or attainable age, significant differences existed in the number of positive lifestyle changes listed, number of suggested lifestyle changes to be made by students, and several observable differences in display including graphics and tables. Implications for health educators are noted.
