Date of Award

5-2024

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Communication

First Advisor

Dr. Roma Subramanian

Abstract

Black women in the United States are three times more likely to have uterine fibroids compared to any other ethnicity. Existing studies estimate that about 80 to 90 percent of Black women will develop fibroids by age 50. Uterine fibroids are “non-cancerous tumors found in the uterus” (Orellana et al., 2022, p.1184). The exact cause of uterine fibroids is not fully understood, and more research is needed to gain insight into the causes of this debilitating disease (Yu et al., 2018). The purpose of the study is to gain an in-depth understanding of the lived experiences of Black women with uterine fibroids in the United States through the lenses of the culture-centered approach (CCA) and the patient-centered communication model. This study investigated the following research questions: RQ1 How do Black females with uterine fibroids navigate diagnosis and management of their condition? RQ2 How has culture played a role in the way Black females with uterine fibroids manage their condition? RQ3 How do Black females with uterine fibroids characterize communication with their healthcare providers? Therefore, using a qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten participants across the United States between August 2023 and September 2023. Data were coded and emerging themes identified. The main results revealed that most participants had been offered birth control to manage their uterine fibroid symptoms. Most participants felt that healthcare providers chose their fibroid treatment for them, and they did not have a say in their treatment. Participants expressed that they needed more information about access to advanced fibroid treatment and the freedom to make their own informed decisions about their fibroid treatment.

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