Significado de la histerectomía para un grupo de mujeres chilenas

Abstract

Background: Elective hysterectomy, after caesarian section, is one of the most frequent surgeries. Objective: To evaluate the significance that the hysterectomy has for Chilean women from a public hospital of the Metropolitan Region of Santiago, Chile. Method: Qualitative and cross-sectional design study of the significance of hysterectomy for 120 women. Three themes were derived from interviews: loss, sadness - sorrow, recovery from illness. Results: The mean of age was 56 ± 11.9 years; the educational level was 7.8 ± 4.3 years. A total of 63% of women had planned elective hysterectomy preformed. The significance that the women attribute to the hysterectomy is related to the experience of loss, and although it includes recovery from Illness, it also signifies sorrow, sadness, and loneliness. Conclusion: The health care providers, who work with these women, need to be respectful and understanding of the significance that the women give to this surgery, and to give them the best setting for supporting and educating them before and after the surgery.