Lesson 1Psychosocial and emotional screening: mood, anxiety, body image, relationship dynamics, and intimate partner violence screeningThis section addresses psychosocial and emotional screening in gynaecologic visits, including mood, anxiety, body image, relationships, and intimate partner violence, with trauma-informed approaches and referral pathways for support tailored to Ghanaian communities.
Screening for depression, anxiety, and suicidalityExploring body image and reproductive identityAssessing relationship quality and sexual coercionIntimate partner violence screening and safety plansTrauma‑informed communication during examsReferral to mental health and social servicesLesson 2Systemic and lifestyle history: weight changes, diet, sleep, exercise, substance use, and work/stressThis section explores systemic and lifestyle factors that influence gynaecologic health, including weight, nutrition, sleep, exercise, substance use, and occupational stress, and integrates counselling to support behaviour change in everyday Ghanaian living.
Weight changes, BMI, and menstrual irregularitiesDietary patterns, anemia, and bone healthSleep quality, circadian disruption, and hormonesExercise, athletic amenorrhea, and energy balanceSubstance use and reproductive health outcomesWork stress, shift work, and coping strategiesLesson 3Detailed menstrual history: cycle patterns, bleeding quantity, intermenstrual bleeding, duration, and changes over timeThis section details how to obtain a precise menstrual history, including cycle regularity, flow volume, pain, and associated symptoms, to distinguish normal variation from patterns that suggest endocrine, structural, or bleeding disorders common in Ghana.
Defining menarche, cycle length, and variabilityAssessing flow volume, clots, and flooding episodesDocumenting dysmenorrhea and associated symptomsIdentifying intermenstrual and postcoital bleedingRecognizing patterns suggesting endocrine disordersMenstrual history in perimenopause and menopauseLesson 4Reproductive intentions and preconception planning: timing, fertility factors, folic acid and immunisationsThis section focuses on assessing reproductive intentions and preconception health, including timing, fertility awareness, chronic disease optimisation, folic acid, immunisations, and medication review before pregnancy in Ghanaian settings.
Clarifying short‑ and long‑term reproductive goalsFertility awareness and timing of intercourseOptimizing chronic conditions before conceptionFolic acid, nutrition, and weight optimizationImmunization review and needed updatesTeratogenic medication review and adjustmentsLesson 5Sexual and contraceptive history: partners, practices, STI risk, condom use, barrier and hormonal optionsThis section guides collection of a sensitive, inclusive sexual and contraceptive history, covering partners, practices, STI risk, barrier and hormonal methods, adherence, side effects, and shared decision-making in method selection for Ghanaian women.
Using inclusive, nonjudgmental sexual history questionsAssessing partners, practices, and STI risk factorsEvaluating current contraceptive use and adherenceReviewing barrier, hormonal, and LARC optionsAddressing side effects and method dissatisfactionCounseling on dual protection and emergency optionsLesson 6Focused documentation techniques and SOAP note structure for outpatient gynaecologic visitsThis section explains how to structure outpatient gynaecologic documentation using SOAP, emphasising concise, clinically relevant notes that support continuity of care, legal standards, billing, and interprofessional communication in Ghanaian clinics.
Organizing the gynecologic subjective databaseKey objective findings in pelvic and general examsFormulating focused gynecologic assessment statementsWriting clear, prioritized plans and follow‑upUsing templates and electronic health recordsLegal, billing, and confidentiality considerationsLesson 7Family and gynaecologic history: cancers, thromboembolic disease, PCOS, endometriosis, early menopauseThis section covers collection of detailed family and gynaecologic history, focusing on hereditary cancers, thromboembolic disease, PCOS, endometriosis, and early menopause to identify risk patterns and guide counselling and screening in Ghana.
Eliciting family history of breast and ovarian cancerIdentifying hereditary colon and endometrial cancersFamily and personal history of thromboembolismDocumenting PCOS, endometriosis, and infertilityRecognizing patterns of early or premature menopauseWhen to refer for genetic counseling and testingLesson 8Use of screening tools and questionnaires: PHQ-9, GAD-7, bleeding assessment tools (PBAC), and sexual health screensThis section reviews validated screening tools used in gynaecologic care, including PHQ-9, GAD-7, PBAC, and sexual health questionnaires, with guidance on administration, scoring, interpretation, and integrating results into care plans for Ghanaian patients.
Selecting appropriate screening tools by indicationAdministering PHQ‑9 and interpreting depression scoresUsing GAD‑7 for anxiety in gynecologic settingsApplying PBAC to quantify menstrual blood lossSexual function and satisfaction screening toolsDocumenting and acting on abnormal screening resultsLesson 9Medication, supplement, and allergy review with potential gynaecologic implicationsThis section emphasises systematic review of medications, supplements, and allergies, highlighting agents that affect bleeding, fertility, bone health, and contraception, and teaching nurses to identify interactions and contraindications in Ghanaian practice.
Identifying hormonal therapies and contraceptivesAnticoagulants and drugs affecting bleeding patternsSupplements impacting fertility and bone healthMedication interactions with contraceptive methodsDocumenting allergies and prior adverse reactionsCounseling on safe over‑the‑counter product useLesson 10Red flags and urgent symptoms: abnormal bleeding requiring immediate evaluation, severe pelvic pain, fever, syncopeThis section trains nurses to recognise red flag gynaecologic symptoms, such as haemodynamically significant bleeding, severe pelvic pain, fever, and syncope, and to initiate timely triage, stabilisation, and referral in Ghanaian health facilities.
Criteria for urgent abnormal uterine bleedingSevere pelvic pain and concern for torsion or ectopicFever, discharge, and suspected pelvic infectionSyncope, dizziness, and hemodynamic instabilityWhen to escalate to emergency services or surgeryPatient education on warning signs and self‑triage
