Pojmovanje in doživljanje menstruacije pri študentkah babištva
Conceptualization and perception of the menstruation midwifery students

slovenian

2013

volume 47, issue 1

menstrual bleeding   menstrual cycle   midwifery

Zbornica zdravstvene in babiške nege Slovenije - Zveza strokovnih društev medicinskih sester, babic in zdravstvenih tehnikov Slovenije
(Obvezni izvod spletne publikacije)

Introduction: The purpose of the study was to identify and analyse the stance of midwifery students on menstruation and determine whether the philosophy of profession concerning female reproductive system changes their views during the process of midwifery education, provided in a largely medicalised context.This study on menstruation perception provides an insight into correlation between midwifery education and the ensuing level of professional socialisation, its values, attitudes, knowledge and underlying philosophy. The socialisation processes that occur during professional midwifery education should promote and encourage midwifery model of care which is based on respect for the intricacy of the natural physiology, that is, the philosophy of menstrual and reproductive physiology. Methods: The study was based on a descriptive and non-experimental method of empirical research. A questionnaire was used as the sole research instrument. Two separate cohorts (all the first and third-year midwifery students, n = 58) were interviewed to ascertain their perceptions on menstruation. The data acquired were processed at the level of descriptive statistics; the statistically significant differences between the two samples were determined by chi-square-test and Kullback 2Î test. Results: The students starting a midwifery programme were treated as laymen. In 42% of the first- year and in 67% of the third-year students, menarche was accompanied by negative feelings. At the time of the study, 80% of the respondents from the first cohort and 96% from the second cohort shared positive views on menstruation and menstrual cycle. The majority of the respondents (73% of the first and 96% of the third-year midwifery students) consider menstruation as an intrinsic part of reproductive physiology. The study participants can all discuss menstruation without reserve, but they would rarely engage in sexual intercourse during their menstrual bleeding. Discussion and conclusions: The tests for statistical significance show that there is a slight difference between the cohorts studied as to their menstruation and menstrual cycle perceptions. Most of the third-year students view menstruation as part of the reproductive physiology. Their attitudes towards menstruation are more positive than those of their first-year colleagues which could be attributed also to the knowledge and practical experience gained in the course of midwifery education.

23.01.2014