Perception of genital prolapse: a hospital-based study in Alexandria (Part II)

Genital prolapse is a common health problem, understanding women's perceptions and beliefs may illuminate our understanding of their health seeking behavior which form a first step in any effort to improve their health. The present study was designed to investigate the perception of genital prolapse among women attending the outpatient clinic in El-Shatby Maternity University Hospital in Alexandria. Data was collected from a sample of 291 women who had any form of genital prolapse. Women's knowledge about risk factors for genital prolapse, women's beliefs related to genital prolapse as well as their beliefs about assistance at delivery (beliefs were assessed through the Health Belief Model) were measured for women who knew that they were suffering of genital prolapse (n = 40). The results revealed that more than two thirds of cases (70.4%) had poor (36.4%) or fair knowledge (34%) and only 29.6% had satisfactory knowledge. The majority of women having positive perception to diagnosis and symptoms for genital prolapse had high perception of "susceptibility" to and "severity" of complications of genital prolapse (97.5% and 85% respectively). More than two thirds (67.5%) had high scores of "perceived benefits" of treatment and medical advice, while nearly one third (32.5%) scored moderate. The majority of women (82.5%) had either moderate scores (55%) or high scores (27.5%) of perceived barriers to compliance to medical instructions or recommended surgery. About two thirds of cases (65.6%) sought medical care later than one year of perception of symptoms. Women's knowledge and degree of genital prolapse were directly related to women's report of symptoms characteristic of prolapse, while the level of education was inversely related. Health education for women on different aspects of reproduction using appropriate materials is highly recommended.