Epidemiological profile of women who underwent surgery at the gynaecology unit from a university hospital

Abstract

The present research aims at describing the epidemiological profile of women who underwent surgery at the gynaecology unit of a university hospital in Vitória-ES. It is a cross-sectional study using a quantitative approach. Data was collected through interviews registered in a fill-in form. Samples consisted of 89 women admitted to the obstetrics unit. Data was analysed using SPSS 15.0. The research demonstrated that 39.9% of respondents were between 40 to 49 years old; 30.9% had not completed elementary school; 51.7% were white; 28.1% lived in Serra-ES; 69.7% were married; 62, 9% were in the lower middle class; 62.9% had a paid job, and 29.2% had an income of up to one minimum wage; 44.9% had made use of alcohol and 65.2% were not tobacco users. Menarche in 59.6% appeared between ages 12-14; 57.3% had had their first sexual intercourse at about age 17; 44.9% had had three to five pregnancies; 37.1% had had three to five deliveries, and 65.2% reported no miscarriages. A 29.2% were diagnosed with uterine fibroids, and 43.8% underwent a hysterectomy. Breast self-examination was performed by 58.4% of the interviewees, mammography by 69.7%, and Pap smear test by 93.3%. There was statistical significance between the mammography and the variables age and education. The study displays an economic profile similar to other researches with this population: most women had had mammograms, Pap smear test and performed breast self-examination at some time in their lives.