Evaluation of the Patients’ Perception Regarding Endocavitary Ultrasound Procedure at the Nyeri Level 5 Hospital, Kenya

Background: The adoption and utility of endocavitary ultrasound examinations in Kenya has not gained much prominence despite its availability and superiority in terms of image resolution. The reasons for low utilization are not yet clear and there exists a gap in terms of available literature regarding the patients’ attitude towards the endocavitary ultrasound procedure. In order to promote widespread acceptability and utilization of this particular sonographic approach in the pelvic evaluation of female patients, the researchers sought out to explore the influence of patients’ attitude and perception towards the examination. Objectives: To evaluate the female patients’ perception regarding endocavitary ultrasound examination at Nyeri Level 5 Hospital. Specifically, the researchers sought to determine the effects on emotions that endocavitary ultrasound poses on the female patients and how these perceptions on endocavitary ultrasound influences female patients expectations. Methodology: This study employed the descriptive cross-sectional survey design based on self-administered questionnaire to gather the relevant data. The study population was female patients that underwent endocavitary pelvic ultrasound examination. The patients were asked on how they perceived endocavitary ultrasound before and after the examination. Results: 51% accounted for those female patients between the age of 25 to 34 years, 30% between the age of 15 to 24 years and 17% between the ages of 35 to 44 years. The level of education on these female patients varied dramatically, those with primary level of education constituting 7% secondary level 7% those with college level of education 46% and no formal education 30%. The occupation of these patients comprised civil servants accounting for 12%, self-employed with 30% farmers 28% and homemakers 28%. Thirty percent (30%) felt tense towards the procedure while 12% was upset by the procedure and 53% were worried of the procedure. Of those that were worried about the procedure, 80% anticipated pain, 90% had affinity of experiencing discomfort and the 97% felt embarrassed by the procedure. Only 12% would undergo for a similar examination again while 87% expressed unwillingness of undergoing the same procedure in future. Conclusion: The patients perception hinged on negative feelings in context when the patient has no prior knowledge of what Transvaginal sonography (TVS) entailed. Endocavitary examination calls for prior patient education or explanation as to what the procedure entails in order to enhance acceptability by the patient.