Communicating endometriosis with young women to decrease diagnosis time

Naomi A. Shadbolt, Shadbolt NA, Melissa A Parker, Melissa Parker, Lindy A. Orthia
Health promotion journal of Australia : official journal of Australian Association of Health Promotion Professionals · 2013 · vol. 24(2) , pp. 151–154 · doi:10.1071/he12915 · PMID:24168743 · W2014207160
Observational OA: closed CC0 ⤵ 27 in-corpus citations
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A survey of young women found they want more education about endometriosis and its symptoms, preferring information from schools and the internet, and feel comfortable discussing it with doctors.

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Abstract

ISSUES ADDRESSED: Endometriosis is estimated to affect approximately 10% of women. Although early detection may enhance health outcomes and fertility, there is a recognised diagnostic delay of 6.7 years. There are limited data on ways to discuss endometriosis with young women. The aims of the present study were to determine what young women know about endometriosis, what young women want to know about endometriosis and how this is best communicated to promote early detection. METHODS: Women aged 16-25 years were invited to complete an online survey that was advertised via Facebook, email, Twitter and flyers at high schools and a university. RESULTS: In all, 131 women responded to the survey. Fifty-two percent of participants had heard of endometriosis, 89% thought teenagers should be educated about endometriosis and 78% thought that young men should also be educated about the condition. Favoured sources for obtaining information were schools (40%), the Internet (22%) and magazines (13%). Participants were most comfortable talking to a doctor (75%), parent (59%) or friend (51%). Participants primarily wanted to know about the disease, its symptoms, risk factors and treatment. Many participants' descriptions of endometriosis were vague or inaccurate. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study indicate that young women are keen to learn about endometriosis, particularly its symptoms. Preferential sources of information appear to be schools or the Internet, and young women appear more comfortable talking to doctors. SO WHAT? To promote early detection of endometriosis, health promotion activities should direct their information towards sources that young women prefer.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Communication Communication Endometriosis Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Health Promotion Health Promotion Adolescent Adolescent Adult Adult Endometriosis Endometriosis Female Female Humans Humans Risk Factors Risk Factors Young Adult

Citation neighborhood (2-hop)

Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. Outer rings show 2-hop neighbours — papers reached through the immediate citers/citees. [ collapse to 1-hop ]

References (20)

Cited by (28)

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