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. 2014 Apr;125(1):56-59.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2013.09.027. Epub 2014 Jan 2.

Prevalence and knowledge of heavy menstrual bleeding among African American women

Erica E Marsh #  1   2 , Maureen E Brocks #  1   2 , Marissa S Ghant  1 , Hannah S Recht  1   2 , Melissa Simon  2
Affiliations

Prevalence and knowledge of heavy menstrual bleeding among African American women

Erica E Marsh et al. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2014 Apr.

Abstract

Objective: To assess self-reported prevalence, knowledge, and health literacy regarding heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) among African American women.

Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional survey study was conducted. An original survey was developed and distributed to a convenience sample of African American women aged 18-60 years at a community fair in a large city in the Midwestern region of the USA.

Results: Of the 274 surveys distributed, 247 were returned, 193 of which met the inclusion criteria. Overall, 163 (84.5%) participants demonstrated adequate health literacy; however, 168 (87.0%) answered fewer than 8 of 15 knowledge questions correctly. Although 75 (38.9%) women reported seeing a clinician for HMB, 89 (46.1%) believed that there was nothing that they could do to prevent it from occurring.

Conclusion: The present study found that the proportion of HMB among participants was higher than the nationwide prevalence. However, a gap existed in knowledge of HMB among the women surveyed. The study findings indicate an opportunity for community-based education to raise awareness of HMB, its associated clinical presentations, and available treatment modalities.

Keywords: African American; Fibroids; Health literacy; Heavy menstrual bleeding; Knowledge.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Participant menstrual/heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) history. (A) Percentage of participants who had seen a doctor in clinic, presented to the emergency department (ED), been hospitalized, and/or been treated for HMB. (B) Percentage of participants who indicated that they had received 1 or more types of treatment for HMB. (C) Percentage of participants who indicated that they had experienced 1 or more symptoms consistent with anemia during their menstrual cycle.
Figure 1
Figure 1
Participant menstrual/heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) history. (A) Percentage of participants who had seen a doctor in clinic, presented to the emergency department (ED), been hospitalized, and/or been treated for HMB. (B) Percentage of participants who indicated that they had received 1 or more types of treatment for HMB. (C) Percentage of participants who indicated that they had experienced 1 or more symptoms consistent with anemia during their menstrual cycle.
Figure 1
Figure 1
Participant menstrual/heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) history. (A) Percentage of participants who had seen a doctor in clinic, presented to the emergency department (ED), been hospitalized, and/or been treated for HMB. (B) Percentage of participants who indicated that they had received 1 or more types of treatment for HMB. (C) Percentage of participants who indicated that they had experienced 1 or more symptoms consistent with anemia during their menstrual cycle.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) attitudes and efficacy. The graph shows the beliefs of participants regarding HMB and their assessments of self-efficacy and risk.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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