Knowledge and Practice of Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises Among Antenatal and Postnatal Women Attending a Secondary Health Facility in Southeast, Nigeria

Abstract

BACKGROUND:Pelvic floor exercise is beneficial to every antenatal and postnatal woman as it helps to strengthen the pelvic floor muscle and prevent pelvic floor complications. Although the knowledge, practice, and benefits of pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFMEs) are fairly known among health care professionals, there seems to be a deficit in knowledge and practice of PFMEs among antenatal and postnatal women in the study location.OBJECTIVES:This study assessed the knowledge and practice of PFMEs among women attending antenatal and postnatal clinics in a secondary health center, in Southeast, Nigeria.METHODS:Using a descriptive cross-sectional design, a convenience sampling technique was used to select 143 pregnant and postpartum women at a secondary health center. A researcher-designed questionnaire was used to collect information on their demographics, knowledge, and the practice of pelvic floor exercises. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 25 at 5% alpha level.RESULTS:The findings showed that a small proportion (28.5%) had good knowledge; however, 54 (54.7%) practiced PFMEs. There was a significant relationship between knowledge and practice of pelvic floor exercises (p< .001).CONCLUSION:Limited knowledge and practice of PFMEs exist among the study population; therefore, good clinical practice guidelines should be developed to train and guide health providers on the best way to utilize antenatal classes to inform and train the antenatal and postnatal women properly on PFMEs.