Exploring factors influencing TVUS acceptance among ethnic minority and white British women in the UK

Transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) is a pivotal diagnostic tool in gynaecology, offering high accuracy in detecting pelvic pathologies. Despite its clinical efficacy, TVUS faces significant acceptance barriers, particularly among ethnic minority women in the UK. This mixed-methods study investigates cultural, informational and gender-based factors influencing TVUS acceptance across diverse ethnic groups.

Twelve women from varied ethnic backgrounds participated in structured online surveys, revealing notable disparities in awareness, comfort and practitioner preferences. While overall awareness was high (91.7 per cent), Asian/British Asian participants showed the lowest awareness and the highest refusal consideration (100 per cent). Gender preferences were pronounced, with Asian/British Asian and Black/British Black participants unanimously rejecting male sonographers, contrasting with more varied responses from white British women.

Thematic analysis identified four key barriers: communication and information needs; gender preferences; vulnerability concerns; and the importance of a professional environment. Participants emphasised the need for clear procedural explanations and preferred female practitioners to preserve modesty and comfort. Privacy concerns were closely linked to sonographer gender acceptance, highlighting cultural sensitivities.

The study underscores the importance of culturally competent care and flexible service delivery, including chaperone availability and gender-matched practitioners. While the small sample size limits generalisability, findings advocate for enhanced patient education and cultural sensitivity training to improve TVUS acceptance and equitable healthcare access.

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