Gynecological Follow-up
Conditions
Keywords
gynecological follow-up, regular, childbearing age, woman
Brief summary
The French National Authority for Health (Haute Autorité de Santé, HAS) recommends regular gynecological follow-up, specifying that it is considered regular when it is annual. The objectives of this gynecological follow-up are multiple: to support women in the choice and management of contraception as well as in their sexuality; to screen for cervical cancer and breast cancer; to diagnose and to take care of sexually transmitted infections (STIs); and to diagnose and treat gynecological conditions such as adenomyosis, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, etc. Regarding cervical cancer screening, the HAS recommends performing a Pap smear (cervical cytology) starting at the age of 25 and up to the age of 65. Several studies, such as those by Henry et al. in 2020 and Owokuhaisa et al. in 2024, have identified major barriers to access to gynecological care for women. These barriers include very long waiting times, lack of privacy, lack of understanding or access to appropriate information, discomfort or fear during consultations, shortage of physicians, past negative experiences, etc. These factors may contribute to women postponing or even forgoing their gynecological consultations. A study by Landy et al. in 2021 also showed that women diagnosed with advanced-stage cervical cancer had not undergone regular screening or gynecological follow-up.
Detailed description
Objectives Primary: To describe the prevalence of regular gynecological follow-up among women of childbearing age. Secondary: * To describe women's knowledge regarding gynecological follow-up * To investigate the factors associated with women's regular gynecological follow-up, particularly the desire for pregnancy
Interventions
OTHERdata collection
data collection
Sponsors
Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne
Study design
Observational model
CASE_ONLY
Time perspective
CROSS_SECTIONAL
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Women aged 18 years and over * Are not menopausal * Have or do not have a desire for pregnancy * Have children or do not have children * Have a sexual partner or not * Reside in metropolitan France or in the French overseas department. * Agreeing to participate in the study
Exclusion criteria
* Being pregnant * Being legally protected (guardianship, curatorship, judicial protection)
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| The prevalence of regular gynecological follow-up | Day 0 | Regular gynecological follow-up (according to HAS recommendations: once per year) and, if irregular, the frequency of follow-up: once every two to three years, occasionally, more than three years ago, or never consulted |
Countries
France
Outcome results
None listed