Pelvic Examination Preferences by Race–Ethnicity Among Young Women in Reproductive Health Clinics [244]. (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gibbs, Susannah E.; Rocca, Corinne H.; Henderson, Jillian T.; Westhoff, Carolyn L.; Darney, Philip D.; Harper, Cynthia C.
• Is Part Of: Obstetrics and gynecology. Volume 125(2015)Supplement 1
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Gynecology -- Periodicals; 618
• DOI: 10.1097/01.AOG.0000463221.43685.0d
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0029-7844

Abstract

Abstract : INTRODUCTION: The pelvic examination is under scrutiny given revised cervical cancer screening guidelines. Recent studies have examined physician attitudes and practices, but data are scarce on women's preferences. General mistrust of medical care is higher among Hispanics and blacks, but we know little about attitudes toward the pelvic examination by race and ethnicity. We examined variation in pelvic examination attitudes with baseline data from a cluster randomized trial on contraception. METHODS: Women ages 18–25 years (n=1, 500) were enrolled at 40 Planned Parenthood clinics across the United States. This secondary analysis used multivariable logistic regression with generalized estimating equations for clustering to examine variation in pelvic examination attitudes by race and ethnicity, controlling for individual variables (age, parity, prior contraceptive use, health insurance), site characteristics, and intervention. RESULTS: Hispanic women (67%) were less likely than black (84%) and white (85%) women to have had a pelvic examination ( P =.001). However, Hispanic (61%) and black (69%) women were more likely than white women (43%) to report they would want a pelvic examination even if not required for contraception (Hispanic: adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.8–2.7; black: adjusted OR 3.2, 95% CI 2.3–4.4). Hispanic (8%) and black (10%) women were less likely than white women (17%) to have delayed going to a clinic for contraception to avoid a pelvic examination (Hispanic: adjusted OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.4–0.7; black: adjusted OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4–0.9). CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATION: The majority of young women in this contraceptive study had a pelvic examination, and perspectives on the examination varied by race and ethnicity. Women should be given the opportunity to avoid the examination when not medically necessary, as in provision of contraceptives.