BYPASSING THE MIDDLEMAN: A GROUNDED THEORY OF WOMEN'S SELF-CARE FOR VAGINAL SYMPTOMS

Increasing numbers of women use self-diagnosis and self-treatment in response to vaginal symptoms. I used the grounded theory method to generate theory on women's self-care. Data collection consisted of interviews with 11 women and 3 pharmacists and content analysis of text from consumer litera...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Health care for women international 2002-07, Vol.23 (5), p.417-431
Main Author: Theroux, Rosemary
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Antifungal Agents - therapeutic use
Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal - diagnosis
Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal - drug therapy
Decision Making
Female
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Middle Aged
Nonprescription Drugs
Nursing
Self Care - methods
Vagina - physiopathology
Women's Health
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Summary:Increasing numbers of women use self-diagnosis and self-treatment in response to vaginal symptoms. I used the grounded theory method to generate theory on women's self-care. Data collection consisted of interviews with 11 women and 3 pharmacists and content analysis of text from consumer literature and advertisements for vaginal antifungal products. The basic problem experienced by women was the need for rapid and convenient relief of symptoms. To accomplish this, women used the four-stage process of "bypassing the middleman," which enabled them to resolve the problem in a timely manner. Media, economics, and social networks were primary influences on women's self-care.
ISSN:0739-9332
1096-4665
DOI:10.1080/073993302760190029