title: Prolapse-related knowledge and attitudes toward the uterus in women with pelvic organ prolapse symptoms.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the study was to describe the basic knowledge about prolapse and attitudes regarding the uterus in women seeking care for prolapse symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional study of English-speaking women presenting with prolapse symptoms. Patients completed a self-administered questionnaire that included 5 prolapse-related knowledge items and 6 benefit-of-uterus attitude items; higher scores indicated greater knowledge or more positive perception of the uterus. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 213 women were included. The overall mean knowledge score was 2.2 ± 1.1 (range, 0-5); 44% of the items were answered correctly. Participants correctly responded that surgery (79.8%), pessary (55.4%), and pelvic muscle exercises (34.3%) were prolapse treatment options. Prior evaluation by a female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery specialist (beta = 0.57, P = .001) and higher education (beta = 0.3, P = .07) was associated with a higher mean knowledge score. For attitude items, the overall mean score was 15.1 (4.7; range, 6-30). A total of 47.4% disagreed with the statement that the uterus is important for sex. The majority disagreed with the statement that the uterus is important for a sense of self (60.1%); that hysterectomy would make me feel less feminine (63.9%); and that hysterectomy would make me feel less whole (66.7%). Previous consultation with a female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery specialist was associated with a higher mean benefit of uterus score (beta = 1.82, P = .01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prolapse-related knowledge is low in women seeking care for prolapse symptoms. The majority do not believe the uterus is important for body image or sexuality and do not believe that hysterectomy will negatively affect their sex lives.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX. Electronic address: Meadow.Good@UTSouthwestern.edu.
authors.forename: Meadow M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Good
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Korbly
authors.forename: Nadine C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Kassis
authors.forename: Monica L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.forename: Nicole M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Book
authors.forename: Sallis
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yip
authors.forename: Docile
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Saguan
authors.forename: Carey
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gross
authors.forename: Janelle
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Heidi S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Harvie
authors.forename: Vivian
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sung
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D056887:Pelvic Organ Prolapse / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D011788:Quality of Life; D019529:Sexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014596:Uterine Prolapse / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D014599:Uterus
keywords: attitudes; hysterectomy; knowledge; prolapse; uterus