Factors predicting young women's willingness to conduct vulvar self-examinations in Korea

Health Care Women Int. 2019 Jun;40(6):653-664. doi: 10.1080/07399332.2018.1531003. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Abstract

Vulvar self-examination (VSE) is an essential examination that all women should perform monthly, as it enables potential patients to discover vulvar cancer in early stage. In this study, a survey was conducted to identify the factors that affect Korean young women's willingness to conduct VSE. Willingness to conduct VSE was higher if the perceived benefit and the individual health motivation were higher. However, it was lower if the perceived barriers were higher. The systematic strategies should be included in VSE education programs to increase perceived benefits of, and health motivation for conducting VSE while reducing the perceived barriers to VSE.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Republic of Korea
  • Self-Examination*
  • Vulvar Diseases / prevention & control*