Journal article
Knowledge of Vulvar Anatomy and Self-examination in a Sample of Italian Women
Journal of lower genital tract disease, Vol.25(2), pp.166-171
04/01/2021
DOI: 10.1097/LGT.0000000000000585
PMID: 33470738
Abstract
Objective
The aim of the study was to investigate the knowledge of vulvar anatomy and vulvar self-examination (VSE) in a sample of Italian women attending a gynecology clinic. Methods
For this original research from May to July 2019, 512 women attending the Lower Genital Tract Clinic at the Department of Surgical Sciences of the University of Torino were invited to participate in a 29-question survey about vulvar anatomy, VSE, and sociodemographic details. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results
Of 512 patients, 500 completed the questionnaire (98% response rate). The mean age of respondents was 41 years (range = 17-77 years). Education level was evenly distributed between elementary, high school, and university graduates. Only 15% of interviewed women were able correctly sketching vulvar anatomy. Seventy-six percent of the women had not heard about VSE, and 61% of the women approach their genitalia with feelings of shame and embarrassment. Only 23% of the women would seek medical advice after identification of possible abnormalities during VSE. A majority (69%) of the women would like to have more information about VSE and vulvar health through educational videos and social media. Conclusions
Education about VSE may lead to earlier diagnosis of vulvar cancers and other pathologies. Further efforts are needed to disperse information about normal external female genital anatomy and VSE to achieve self-confidence among women.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Knowledge of Vulvar Anatomy and Self-examination in a Sample of Italian Women
- Creators
- Mario Preti - University of TorontoAmanda Selk - University of TorontoColleen Stockdale - University of IowaFederica Bevilacqua - University of TurinPedro Vieira-Baptista - Hosp Lusiadas Porto, Porto, PortugalFulvio Borella - University of TurinNiccolo Gallio - University of TurinStefano Cosma - University of TurinCatarina Melo - Hospital de São JoãoLeonardo Micheletti - University of TurinChiara Benedetto - University of Turin
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of lower genital tract disease, Vol.25(2), pp.166-171
- Publisher
- Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
- DOI
- 10.1097/LGT.0000000000000585
- PMID
- 33470738
- ISSN
- 1089-2591
- eISSN
- 1526-0976
- Number of pages
- 6
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 04/01/2021
- Academic Unit
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Record Identifier
- 9984318226702771
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