Perception, willingness to accept and uptake of transvaginal ultrasonography among women in Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS) is now the emerging preferred method world over for female pelvic ultrasonographic assessment, because the pelvic organs are closer to the endocavity vaginal probe and are better visualised. This study assessed the perception, willingness to accept and uptake of TVS among women in Benin City, in Southern Nigeria.
Methodology: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out among women who presented for ultrasonography in a secondary and a tertiary health care facility in Benin City, Southern Nigeria. A structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. The data was analysed using IBM SPSS version 20.
Results: A total of 318 women with a mean age of 35.1 (SD = 9.6) years  participated in the study. More than half 181 (56.9%) expressed their willingness to have TVS. TVS was perceived to be safe by 95 (29.9%) while 45.6% were not sure of the safety of the procedure. Ninety-seven (30.5%) felt that TVS is associated with some adverse effects. The uptake of TVS was reported by only 56 (17.6%). More than half 182 (57.2%) expressed preference for a female HCW to perform TVS for them, but only 126 (39.6%) would insist on the presence of chaperon during the procedure.
Conclusion: Majority of women in Benin City are willing to accept TVS with  preference for female health care worker. TVS was perceived to be safe by few of the women while the uptake of TVS was poor. We recommend that there should be continuous health education of women on the uses and safety of TVS in the  management of most gynaecological conditions.

Keywords: Acceptability, perception, transvaginal ultrasound, Benin City