Association of knowledge, anxiety, and fear with adherence to follow up for colposcopy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association of pre-visit anxiety with pre- and post-visit knowledge, satisfaction, and adherence to colposcopy follow-up visits.


METHODS
A group of 122 women presenting for colposcopy between July 1999 and May 2000 were studied. Immediately prior to their appointment, 98% of eligible patients participated in a self-administered questionnaire. Patients were sent a follow-up questionnaire within two weeks of the appointment. Statistical analyses included Chi-Square and Fisher's exact tests for categorical variables.


RESULTS
The mean follow up was 112 days (SE 9.47). Although the mean fear score was 7.3 (SE 3, range 1-10) and mean anxiety score was 7.8 (SE 2.8, range 1-10), there was no significant association with pre-visit fear and adherence to follow up. Pre-evaluation knowledge was positively associated with fear, anxiety, post-visit knowledge, and adherence to follow up.


CONCLUSIONS
Pre-visit intervention may improve adherence and reduce anxiety associated with colposcopy.
Brooks
Sandra E
SE
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
Gordon
Nancy J
NJ
Keller
Sarah J
SJ
Thomas
Simu K
SK
Chen
T Timothy
TT
Moses
Gloria
G