Women’s Perception of Transvaginal Sonography: A Study at Image Diagnostics, Portharcourt

ABSTRACT
Transvaginal sonography is a later addition to the diagnostic techniques available for the evaluation of the female pelvis and can overcome many of the limitations of traditional transabdominal scanning. Transvaginal sonography involves the placement of the probe within the vagina. This is uncomfortable for most women especially in this part of the world where ethical issues are now a challenge. This may reduce the practicability of transvaginal sonography. There is also reluctance in adopting this technique as a routine ultrasound investigation in our locality. The purpose of this study was to assess women’s views of transvaginal sonography; to assess the acceptability to women of transvaginal ultrasound scans; and to investigate any correlation between their educational background and their perception of the procedure. The sample size used in this study was 86 women. A convenience sampling technique was used in the study. The study utilized questionnaire as a source of data collection. Results showed that a greater percentage of the women studied have favourable views of transvaginal sonography; majority of women accept transvaginal sonography and would undergo the procedure again if it was recommended by their doctor; and that women’s perception of transvaginal sonography is not dependent on their educational background. The findings suggest that ultrasound practitioners should be educated on the advantages of transvaginal sonography so they could equip themselves and refer eligible patients for the procedure, thereby improving its practicability; more sonographers (especially females) should be trained in the use of the transvaginal probe.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page 
Dedication 
Approval page 
Certification   
Acknowledgement
List to tables  
List of figures   
Abstract             
Table of contents  
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1  Background of Study   
1.2 Statement of Problem   
1.3 Purpose of Study   
1.4 Significance of Study 
1.5 Scope of Study   
1.6 Operational Definition of Terms 

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1    Literature Review   
2.1.1     Women’s Views of Transvaginal Sonography  
2.1.2    Women’s Acceptability of Transvaginal Sonography   
2.2    Theoretical Basis of Research  
2.2.1    Anatomy of Female Pelvic Area   
2.2.2    Anatomy of the Female Pelvis in Transvaginal Sonography  
2.2.3    Piezoelectric Transducers   
2.2.4    Examination technique   
2.2.5    Precautionary measures   
2.2.6    Applications of transvaginal sonography   

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Design   
3.2 Sample Population and Sample Size   
3.3 Sampling Technique   
3.4 Instrument for Data Collection   
3.5 Method of Data Collection   
3.6 Methods of Data Analysis   

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS
4.1 Data Presentation  

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION,
AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Discussion and Implications of Results   
5.1.1 Background Characteristics of the Respondents   
5.1.2 Objective 1 (Women’s views of transvaginal sonography)  
5.1.3 Objective 2 (Acceptability to women of
transvaginal ultrasound scans)   
5.1.4 Objective 3 (Correlation of educational background
and perception of TVS)   
5.2 Conclusion  
5.3 Recommendations   
5.4 Limitations of the Study 
5.5 Areas of Further Research 
References    
Appendix 1    
Appendix 2