Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards Pelvic Floor Keagle Exercises in Antenatal Pregnant Women of 3rd Trimester

Abstract

Background: Exercises are specifically designed to improve health benefits for expectant moms and fetus, so pregnant women should be encouraged to continue their exercise regimens so they can benefit from them. Antenatal exercise provides great advantages and minimal hazards; however, it may need to be modified based on the requirements of the woman and the fetus. Women should exercise for 30 minutes, on average, five days a week.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine knowledge attitude and practice towards pelvic floor Kegel exercises in antenatal pregnant women of 3rd trimester.

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional KAP survey with a sample size of 388 targeting prenatal women of district Gujrat, Punjab Pakistan. Data was collected by self-structured, close ended questionnaire whose reliability was calculated by a pilot study. The reliability of the questionnaire was (Cronbach’s a=0.752). Questionnaire contained segments demographic data, gynecological history, questions about knowledge practice and attitude. Considering inclusion and exclusion criteria data was collected from the targeted population after a written informed consent. SPSS software version 20 was used to analyze data.

Results: There were 189(55.9%) women of age group 18-30 and 149(44.1%) belonged to age group 30-40. 12.7% women had 3-7 no. of births, 61.8% had 1-3 and 25.4% women had no children. In type of delivery 45.9% women had c-section, 30.5% had vaginal delivery remaining 23.7% were primigravida. In my study only 24.9% women had high level of knowledge, 13.3% had moderate and the remaining 61.8% had poor knowledge of pelvic floor Kegel exercises, 219.9% women had positive and 70.1% had negative attitude towards exercises, 7.98% had good practice 10.9% had moderate and 81.07% had poor practice of exercises. The associations between knowledge and attitude, knowledge and practice, attitude and practice were significant (p-value <0.05).

Conclusion: The findings of the study shows that there is low level of knowledge, attitude, and practice of pelvic floor Kegel exercises during antenatal pregnant women. Very few of them were practicing and most of the participants had negative attitude towards exercises.