Browsing by Author "Marteau, Theresa M."
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Experiences of the menopause: A comparison between Portugal and the United KingdomPublication . Figueiras, Maria João; Marteau, Theresa M.The aims of the present study were to compare experiences of the menopause in Portuguese and British women. Two groups of Portuguese and British women (n= 100 and n=42, respectively), completed and returned a questionnaire which assessed the appraisal of symptoms and beliefs about the menopause. Portuguese and British women differed significantly in symptom reporting and perceptions of the menopause. British women were more likely to associate the menopause with loss of perceived femaleness, while Portuguese women were more likely to associate the menopause with physical and psychological changes. This study raises questions about social representations of the menopause, in relation to the status and role of women in different European societies.
- Obstetricians presenting amniocentesis to pregnant women: Practice observedPublication . Marteau, Theresa M.; Plenicar, Mariana; Kidd, JaneThe aim of this study is to describe how obstetricians present amniocentesis to women eligible because of their age and hence increased likelihood of having a child with Down’s syndrome and other chromosome abnormalities. Routine antenatal consultations between 25 women and 17 doctors were tape recorded. Presentations focused upon the risks of fetal abnormality, and the risks of pregnancy loss following amniocentesis. The word risk was used to denote probability and frequently used in conjunction with words to denote value. Although obstetricians frequently presented probabilistic information, this tended to be presented in a binary fashion, that is, as denoting either high or low risk. Equivalent probabilities were described as low in connection with fetal loss, and high in connection with Down’s syndrome. The probabilities of these two events were contrasted on half of the occasions when they were presented. Implicit in obstetricians’ presentations of amniocentesis was an assumption that all women would or should undergo the procedure. Information concerning the range of conditions detected at routine amniocentesis were infrequently mentioned and never described. The results of this descriptive study illustrate that information germane to decisions of whether to undergo amniocentesis is frequently presented in such a way as to encourage uptake of the test, rather than to foster informed decision-making.