Pessary self-management is defined as the patient's ability to remove and reinsert their pessary themselves at home. Previous research has suggested that some women may prefer being able to remove and reinsert their pessary as they wish rather than wait for clinic appointments. At the moment, not enough is known about pessary self-management, particularly what makes someone more or less likely to try pessary self-management. The investigators would like to understand this better to try to help women overcome barriers they might face. This study aims to collect data via both questionnaires and interviews to explore willingness to self-manage a pessary. Using findings from the questionnaires and interviews, a group of women who use pessaries and healthcare professionals who provide pessary care will work together to develop a better way to support women to feel able and willing to manage their pessary in future.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
132
Uncertain what intervention will be co-created
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Manchester, United Kingdom
RECRUITINGWillingness to self-manage a pessary
Women will be asked whether they are willing or not to self-manage a pessary for prolapse. This will be a binary yes, no or not sure answer.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 appointment (1 day)
Age
Full years since birth
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 appointment (1 day)
Pessary
Type and size of pessary in situ
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 appointment (1 day)
Length of pessary management
Total months pessary used for
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 appointment (1 day)
Comorbidities
Free text data for participant to report diagnosed health conditionns
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 appointment (1 day)
Self-management experience
The woman will be asked whether she has previously removed or inserted her pessary
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 appointment (1 day)
Self-management status
The woman will be asked whether she is currently self-managing her pessary (defined as removing and inserting it independently in between clinic appointments)
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 appointment (1 day)
Ethnicity
Ethnic groups in accordance with UK government agreed list of ethnicities
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 appointment (1 day)
Post code
Post code at home address to determine deprivation of home address in accordance with UK government index of deprivation
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 appointment (1 day)
Education status
Women will be asked to report their highest level of education
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 appointment (1 day)
Female genital self-image score (FGSIS)
Women will also be asked to complete the Female Genital Self-Image Scale (FGSIS-4), a reliable and validated 4-item questionnaire which measures women's attitude and beliefs about their genitals (Herbenick and Reece, 2010). Scores in the FGSIS-4 range between 4-16, with a mean score of 12 in a nationally representative population of over 2000 American women (Herbenick et al., 2011). Herbenick et al. (2011) have not determined a binary score for high and low FGSIS, however for the purpose of this study, a score of eight or less will indicate low FGSI, whereas more than eight will indicate high FGSI. To score eight or less, a participant must disagree with all four statements describing genital self-image therefore this is deemed to accurately represent FGSIS-4.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 appointment (1 day)
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