Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Pelvic Floor Health among Women Attending Gynecology Clinic at Teaching Hospital Mahamodara

Abstract

Background: Urinary incontinence (UI), pelvic organ prolapses (POP), and pelvic floor dysfunctions (PFDs) are common health issues among women, impacting their physical well being, social interactions, and psychological health. Despite the prevalence of these conditions, many women suffer in silence without seeking medical advice. Objectives: To assess the level of knowledge regarding the main pelvic floor disorders, specifically UI and POP, among women attending gynecology clinics at Teaching Hospital Mahamodara (THM) and also to evaluate their attitudes, practices related to pelvic floor health and associated factors for poor knowledge and attitudes Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in May 2023, involving 101 women aged 20-55 years, attending Maternity THM gynecology clinics. Data were collected using a pre tested, self-administered questionnaire, and a convenient consecutive sampling method was employed. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0 with descriptive, one-way ANOVA and chi-square statistics. Results: The majority of respondents (50.5%) were in the age category of 44-55 years, with 92.15% of participants being married, and 41.6% having two children. Most participants (66.3%) demonstrated a moderate level of knowledge regarding PFDs with a mean knowledge score of 49.37 (SD±19.60). Knowledge levels were significantly associated with age (p=0.002), marital status (p=0.034) and prior awareness of UI and POP (p<0.001). POP knowledge non-proficiency (14.9%) was greater than UI knowledge non-proficiency (12.9%). A significant association was identified between participants’ awareness of pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFMEs) and POP knowledge (p=0.043). The majority of participants (63.4%) displayed a positive attitude towards pelvic floor health, which was associated with employment status, while 6.9% had neutral and 29.7% participants had a negative attitude. Most participants (77.2%) were unaware of PFMEs, and only and only 1% practiced them effectively. Conclusions: The study reveals a moderate level of knowledge regarding pelvic floor disorders among women attending gynecology clinics at THM. While many participants demonstrate a positive attitude towards pelvic floor health, the practice of pelvic floor muscle exercises remains inadequate. Addressing this knowledge-practice gap is essential to enhance women’s pelvic floor health and overall quality of life.