'Low Awareness' Of Endometriosis

Endometriosis affects around two million women in the UK, but a new MORI survey shows that awareness of the condition is low.

Endometriosis affects around two million women in the UK, but a new MORI survey shows that awareness of the condition is low.

Only one in five people (20%) say they know something about the gynaelogical condition which can cause severe pain, fatigue, depression, sexual problems and infertility. Awareness is far lower than that of other conditions such as diabetes (77%), asthma (88%) and irritable bowel syndrome (52%). A third (34%) of people know something about sickle cell anaemia a condition that affects 6,000 Britons.

Topline Results

Technical details:

  • 1,953 respondents aged 15+ across Great Britain
  • Interviewed face-to-face in-home
  • Between 5-10 June 2003
  • An asterisk (*) indicates a percentage of less than 0.5% but greater than zero
  • Data have been weighted to reflect the national profile
  • Base all, unless otherwise stated

Q1 Which, if any, of the following conditions do you know something about?

160 %
Asthma 83
Crohn's Disease 33
Diabetes 77
Endometriosis 20
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) 52
Hodgkin's Disease 28
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) 57
Polycystic ovaries 22
Pre-menstrual Syndrome (PMS) 53
Sickle cell anaemia 34
160
None of these 8
Don't know *

Q2 As far as you know, what is endometriosis?

Base: All who know about endometriosis (373)

160 %
A gynaecological condition 19
A condition that affects women 22
A condition that affects men *
A condition that affects women's reproductive organs 22
The presence of endometrium/womb lining outside the womb 53
Cysts 3
Painful periods 9
Causes infertility 5
Causes pain 8
A skin condition 1
An illness/medical condition -- not specified 1
An illness/medical condition -- specified but not correct 3
160
Other -- non medical *
Don't know 9

Q3 Which, if any, of these groups is most likely to be affected by endometriosis?

Base: All who know about Endometriosis (excluding those who say don't know at Q2) (339)

160 %
Men of any age 2
Women of any age 45
Children *
Teenagers 3
Men aged 20-45 2
Men aged 45+ 1
Women aged 20-45 54
Women aged 45+ 13
None of these 0
Don't know 3

Q4 Who, if anyone, would you personally be most likely to discuss a gynaecological condition/problem such as endometriosis with?

Base: All women (1,013)

160 %
Husband/Partner 15
Mother 13
Daughter 5
Sister 5
Other female relative 4
Father *
Brother *
Son *
Other male relative *
Female friend 12
Male friend 1
Friend unspecified 2
Neighbour *
Work colleague 1
Male GP/doctor 14
Female GP/doctor 23
GP/doctor unspecified 43
Male gynaecologist 3
Female gynaecologist 4
Gynaecologist unspecified 8
Male consultant/specialist 1
Female consultant/specialist 1
Consultant/specialist 2
Male Nurse *
Female Nurse 3
Nurse unspecified 2
160
Other health professional 1
Advice line *
(Specialist advice line such as) BBC Action Line *
Internet 1
Other 1
Would not discuss it with anyone 1
None of these 2
Don't know 3

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