Date of Graduation

Fall 12-15-2023

Document Type

Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

College/School

School of Nursing and Health Professions

Department/Program

Nursing

Program

Family Nurse Practitioner

First Advisor

Trinette L. Radasa,

Second Advisor

Elena Capella

Abstract

Background: Uterine fibroids are benign growths in the uterine muscle that affect around 70% of women. Black women have a higher risk, with three times the likelihood of developing fibroids compared to other races.

Problem: The issue of uterine fibroids continues to be poorly addressed in healthcare settings. Black women continue to be particularly adversely impacted by this problem. There is a lack of better screening methods, leading to late detection and limited treatment options for those hoping to maintain fertility.

Methods: A quality improvement project was implemented at a primary care clinic in Loma Linda, California, using the Uterine Fibroid Symptom and Health-Related Quality of Life (UFS-QOL) questionnaire to screen for fibroid symptoms in Black women.

Interventions: A four-step intervention was implemented to educate and screen black women for fibroids. The interventions were well-received and provided essential information and support to those screened.

Results: Twenty black women were screened for fibroid symptoms using the UFS-QOL questionnaire. Eleven had severe symptoms, four had already been diagnosed, and seven were undiagnosed.

Conclusion: Early detection of fibroids is crucial for effective treatment, especially for women who wish to conceive in the future. The UFS-QOL questionnaire has been instrumental in identifying fibroids in women who were previously unaware of their condition.

Keywords: Uterine fibroids, symptoms, Black women, screening questionnaire, fibroids

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