ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The availability of information on HPV and Pap tests has increased dramatically with the introduction of national HPV vaccination programs. But data on the effectiveness of this information is limited. However, our desire is to reduce patient anxiety and promote better delivery of information. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Therefore a questionnaire-based cohort study was conducted to investigate women's experience with the announcement of an abnormal Pap smear result, then the ensuing events, as well as their practitioner's management. This article focuses on the French experience, underpinned by comparative data with Spain and Portugal. RESULTS: It shows that, face with stress reactions and patient's anxiety, the level of information from the medical profession is still seen as inadequate, while the Internet as an information source has its limitations and dangers. The close entourage is most relied on, which supports the need for better public information. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Uniformity and standardization of information strategies is not yet on European time.
Subject(s)
Papanicolaou Test , Perception , Vaginal Smears/psychology , Adult , Anxiety , Cohort Studies , Consumer Health Information , Female , France , Humans , Middle Aged , Papillomavirus Infections/diagnosis , Papillomavirus Infections/psychology , Patient Education as Topic , Portugal , Spain , Surveys and Questionnaires , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/diagnosis , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/psychologyABSTRACT
AIM: To date, few epidemiological data are available regarding vaginal pH in Portugal. Thus, an epidemiological study was conducted to evaluate vaginal pH in healthy Portuguese women, attending a private gynecologist and its relation with women's socio-demographics, sexual activity and clinical characteristics. METHODS: This was an observational cross-sectional, multicenter and national study in 990 healthy women older than 18 years recruited from September-December 2007. Data regarding socio-demographics, sexual activity (1-5 score ordinal scale: 5 represent the best scenario), physiological status, concomitant treatment and vaginal symptoms were collected. Vaginal pH was measured through specific test strips. RESULTS: The study enrolled women with a median age of 37 years (min-max: 18-83 years) and a median BMI of 24 kg/m2; 63.5% of women practiced some physical activity, 84% were employed, 62.6% were of reproductive age, 22.1% in their post-menopausal phase and 10.4% pregnant. Women considered their sexual lives satisfactory. Median vaginal pH was 4.7 (min-max: 3.5-7.4). Vaginal pH showed positive correlation with age (rs=0.283) and BMI (rs=0.180). Employed women presented a lower median vaginal pH than retired or housewives (4.7 versus 5.6 and 5.3). Higher scores for sexual activity regarding interest, satisfaction, frequency and importance presented lower vaginal pH (respectively rs=-0.171, rs=-0.168, rs=-0.133 and rs=-0.158). Use of contraceptives and pregnancy were associated respectively to lower median levels of vaginal pH. Concomitant treatments and presence of vaginal symptoms were associated with higher median levels of vaginal pH. CONCLUSION: Vaginal pH increases with age, BMI, sexual intercourse without barrier contraception, dryness and irritation symptoms and decreases with physical activity, professional activity and hormone replacement therapy.
