Objective To assess the usefulness of a leaflet distributed to women before colposcopy designed to Design Prospective randomised study.Setting Colposcopy clinic of a large district general hospital.Sample Two hundred consecutive women undergoing colposcopy for the first time for a cervical cytological abnormality of severity no greater than moderate dyskaryosis.Methods Women were randomised into one of two groups (leaflet or control). Those in the leaflet group were sent an information leaflet prior to attending the clinic. In the colposcopy clinic all the women completed a Statenrait Anxiety Inventory (StAVTrAI) and a modified psychosexual questionnaire before undergoing colposcopy. This was repeated at the six-month follow up visit. Women in the leaflet group also completed a further questionnaire on the leaflet.Main outcome measures Differences of anxiety and psychosexual scores between leaflet and control groups. ResultsThe leaflet was well received. There were no statistical differences in StAI and TrAI scores between the study group and the control group at either visit, although in the whole study population StAI and TrAI scores were reduced at the second visit. The leaflet group had significantly more psychosexual problems but by the second visit, the scores had improved and the two groups were similar. When the mean differences in anxiety and psychosexual scores at the initial and second visits were compared between the groups, the reduction in negative sexual feelings and deterioration of TrAI scores experienced by the leaflet group was significant. ConclusionsThis study suggests that the provision of sending an information leaflet prior to colposcopy is not beneficial in isolation. Other approaches need to be considered.reduce their anxiety and psychosexual morbidity by providing information.

The main objective of this prospective randomised study was to evaluate whether offering pre-colposcopy group sessions reduces anxiety at the time of colposcopy. We also examined whether this strategy improved knowledge about abnormal smears and colposcopy and improved satisfaction with the colposcopy service provided. One hundred and forty-seven women undergoing colposcopy for the first time were randomised into two groups. The control group (n = 75) received conventional management. The study group (n = 72), in addition to conventional management, were invited to attend a pre-colposcopy group session led by a trained colposcopy nurse. Questionnaires were used to determine state anxiety inventory scores and knowledge scores at the time of randomisation, immediately before colposcopy and 6 weeks after the clinic visit. Satisfaction questionnaires were completed 6 weeks after the clinic visit. We found that women attending colposcopy clinics are anxious. Those women who attended the pre-colposcopy session had improved knowledge scores (P = 0.039) at the time of colposcopy and satisfaction (P = 0.037). However, the intervention failed to significantly reduce anxiety at the time of colposcopy (P > 0.05).

Many UK colposcopy clinics do not appear to be providing women with the information they require to understand their condition and the procedure that they are about to undergo. Furthermore, this information is often not provided at the appropriate time in the screening process.

Nursing staff at a specialist hospital unit held five precolposcopy counselling and educational sessions; 47 women attended. We undertook a content analysis of the issues raised by the women. Our analysis confirms that there are significant fears concerning the procedure itself and underlying fears about cervical cancer. Women usually addressed these fears in an indirect manner. We still know little and most women have high anxiety when they receive abnormal Pap smear test results. Educational sessions can be useful in allaying fears and improving knowledge of the colposcopy procedure. We provide examples of how and why sessions are useful.