Transvaginal ultrasonography: a survey of the acceptability and its predictors among a native African women population.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the acceptability of transvaginal ultrasonography (TVU) and associated factors among Nigerian women.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 3137 women who presented for transabdominal ultrasound scan between August and November 2010 in two referral hospitals in Nigeria. Data were obtained using a questionnaire. Descriptive and multivariate analysis was performed applying logistic regression analysis; predictors of willingness of participants regarding transvaginal ultrasound were identified using SPSS Statistics (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL) version 17 software.


RESULTS
The mean age of the women was 33.8 years (standard deviation = 7.9), with 88.8% currently married. About 84% were willing to have TVU, while 54.2% were indifferent about the gender of the sonologist. About 17.3% believed that the procedure is painful. Significant predictors of willingness to have TVU were previous sexual experience and douching, prior painful vaginal examination, and vaginal surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of Nigerian women expressed a willingness to have the TVU procedure without necessarily opting for any gender preference of the operator. Women should be adequately counseled on the operations of the procedure so as to be able to psychologically prepare for them.
Department of Radiology, College of Medicine/University College Hospital, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.
Omolola M
OM
Atalabi
Imran O
IO
Morhason-Bello
Ademola J
AJ
Adekanmi
Anthony O
AO
Marinho
Babatunde O
BO
Adedokun
Adegoke O
AO
Kalejaiye
Kayode
K
Sogo
Sikiru A
SA
Gbadamosi