Abstract
M.Cur.
The South African National Health Act states that every provincial department, district health council and municipality must ensure that appropriate, adequate and comprehensive information is disseminated on the health services for which they are responsible. However, information on the experiences of women undergoing hysterectomy is not clearly stated. The increasing numbers of women not accepting hysterectomy motivated the researcher to explore women‟s experiences prior to hysterectomy at a public hospital in Johannesburg.
The purpose of the study is to explore and describe the experiences of women prior to hysterectomy in order to describe recommendations to support women prior to hysterectomy at a public hospital in Johannesburg. A purposive sampling method and a qualitative research design of explorative, descriptive, phenomenological and contextual nature was used. The researcher collected data by means of semi-structured individual interviews.
Data was collected until saturation was reached on the twenty sixth participant. An audio tape recorder was used with the permission of the participants for the accurate collection of data. Data analysis was done by means of open coding and qualitative data analysis method. Trustworthiness was ensured by using credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability. Ethical standards were ensured regarding the principle of respect for persons, the principle of beneficence, and the principle of justice.
Results of the experiences of women prior to hysterectomy at a public hospital in Johannesburg appear under the following themes: negative experiences as demonstrated by psychosocial and emotional experiences; physical experiences; religious beliefs; and cultural beliefs. Positive experiences emerged as: knowledge gained from healthcare professionals, internet, radio and books. Findings were conceptualized within the relevant literature. Conclusions were arrived at, which formed the basis for recommendations to support women prior to hysterectomy. Limitations were realised and final conclusions were made.