Knowledge about reproductive organs in Chinese women: Some overlooked ‘common sense’

Abstract

A study concerning woman's knowledge of the shape, size, and functions of the female reproductive organs was done in 80 gynaecological patients. The ovaries were the least understood organs in terms of shape and size and the vagina in terms of functions. Compared with younger subjects, respondents older than 40 years only knew less about the vagina. Assessment of relationships between gynaecological knowledge and pre-operative anxiety in 20 hysterectomy patients showed that although gynaecological information was not correlated with the number of anticipated post-operative changes, women who understood less about their body tended to believe that hysterectomy would have certain effects which in fact lacked any medical basis. The results are discussed with reference to Chinese health beliefs, and the implications for the preparation of Chinese women for a gynaecological operation where the western biomedical model and the traditional non-western cultural beliefs might play a role are highlighted.