title: Vaginal prolapse--perceptions and healthcare-seeking behavior among women prior to gynecological surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate perceptions of vaginal prolapse and healthcare-seeking behavior in women prior to gynecological surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, cross-sectional study using a web-based questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinics including patients in the Swedish National Register for Gynecological Surgery (Gynop-register).
  
  
  METHODS
  214 women with vaginal prolapse and 347 women without prolapse as reference patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire was developed for assessment of women's perception of prolapse and their healthcare-seeking behavior. Data were collected through the Gynop-register. For comparisons between the study groups, Student's t-test and the chi-squared test were used.
  
  
  METHODS
  Perceptions of prolapse, healthcare-seeking behavior, and source of information.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most common definition of prolapse reported by the women was presence of a vaginal bulge. Reasons for seeking healthcare were interference with physical activity and increasing symptoms. One in five women with prolapse could not relate the symptoms to prolapse. Participants in the prolapse group gained less information on their own condition from brochures and public media compared to participants in the reference group (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There appeared to be a lack of information on pelvic organ prolapse in the public domain. Healthcare professionals have a significant role to play in informing women about symptoms related to the condition and the available treatment options.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Applied Educational Science, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden. Mojgan.Pakbaz@obgyn.umu.se
authors.forename: Mojgan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pakbaz
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rolfsman
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mogren
authors.forename: Mats
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Löfgren
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007045:Hysterectomy, Vaginal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D015994:Incidence; D020407:Internet; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010465:Perception; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D018570:Risk Assessment; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D014596:Uterine Prolapse / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*