Lesson 1Psychosocial and Emotional Screening: Mood, Anxiety, Body Image, Relationship Dynamics, and Intimate Partner Violence ScreeningThis part covers psychosocial and emotional screening during gynaecologic check-ups, including mood, anxiety, body image, relationships, and intimate partner violence, using trauma-aware methods and referral options for support in Zambian 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 part looks at systemic and lifestyle factors affecting gynaecologic health, such as weight, eating habits, sleep, physical activity, substance use, and job-related stress, and includes advice to help with positive behaviour changes.
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 part explains how to gather a detailed menstrual history, covering cycle regularity, flow amount, pain, and related symptoms, to tell normal patterns from those indicating hormone, structural, or bleeding issues common in Zambia.
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 part focuses on checking reproductive plans and preconception health, including timing, fertility knowledge, managing long-term illnesses, folic acid, immunisations, and reviewing medicines before pregnancy in local 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 part guides on collecting a sensitive, inclusive sexual and contraceptive history, including partners, practices, STI risks, barrier and hormonal methods, compliance, side effects, and joint decision-making for choices.
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 part describes how to organise outpatient gynaecologic records using SOAP format, stressing clear, relevant notes that aid ongoing care, legal needs, billing, and teamwork among health professionals in Zambia.
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 part deals with gathering detailed family and gynaecologic history, highlighting inherited cancers, blood clot risks, PCOS, endometriosis, and early menopause to spot patterns and advise on screening and counselling.
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 part reviews proven screening tools for gynaecologic care, like PHQ-9, GAD-7, PBAC, and sexual health forms, with tips on using, scoring, understanding results, and adding them to care plans.
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 part stresses reviewing medicines, supplements, and allergies systematically, pointing out those affecting bleeding, fertility, bone health, and birth control, and teaching nurses to find interactions and warnings.
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 part trains nurses to identify warning gynaecologic symptoms, like serious bleeding, intense pelvic pain, fever, and fainting, and to start quick sorting, stabilising, and referring as needed in Zambia.
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
