Obese clients at the Imo State University Teaching Hospital were surveyed at the end of their annual Pap smear exam regarding their knowledge and comfort during the procedure using the special device. One group of obese women allowed their healthcare provider to use the special device on them while others used the normal speculum during their Pap smear. Obese female clients are mostly associated with an increased risk for the development of both endometrial and ovarian carcinoma. Evidenced-based revealed strong that healthcare providers show negative attitudes and perceptions about obese female patients that can affect the care they give.
The objective of this study is to determine if this special device will enable easy and better visualization of the cervix and steps to improve the healthcare providers access to the cervical canal. Health promotion through education and motivation of obese female patients in addressing their fears and frustrations were some of the steps used. Guidance to minimize physical and psychological discomfort with pelvic exam was reviewed. Women who agreed to the study required pelvic exam with the healthcare providers caring for them in an outpatient setting. A total of 178 women patients were prospectively entered into the study. The predicted findings of the pelvis exam with the special device were as expected in 161 patients (90.4%) and 42 doctors participated in this study.
Data reported that doctors were able to obtain a pap smear with no difficulty and doctors are no longer reluctant to a pelvic exam on obese patients. The study demonstrated improved healthcare provider’s self-reported easy access to the cervical canal; and self-reported comfort of the obsess women during the examination.
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