Affiliations 

  • 1 Primary Care Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia, Sg Besi, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 2 Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
  • 3 Department of Population Medicine, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
  • 4 Pre-clinical Department, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
  • 5 Klinik Kesihatan Kajang, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
PLoS One, 2020;15(7):e0236140.
PMID: 32667936 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236140

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Urinary Incontinence (UI) is when a person is unable to hold his/her urine effectively. This is a common problem which can develop and worsen during pregnancy. An effective way to manage UI is to educate patients on the Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise (PFME) regularly. The present study aimed to ascertain the pregnant women's knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to PFME.

METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study done in a one primary care clinic located in a semi-urban area in Selangor, Malaysia. Simple random sampling was conducted among pregnant women aged 18 years old and above at any gestation. The validated study instruments used consisted of questions on socio-demography, KAP on UI, and also the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form to determine UI among the respondents.

RESULTS: The response rate for this study was 72.1%, where 440 pregnant women consented to take part in the study. The median age of study respondents was 30 years old and majority of the study respondents was from the Malay ethnicity (80.9%). The prevalence of UI was 40.9%. The proportion of pregnant women with good knowledge, attitude and practice scores were 58.0%, 46.6% and 45.2% respectively. There was a significant association between UI and age (p = .03), body mass index (p = .03), ethnicity (p = .04), gravida. (p = .001), knowledge on PFME (p = .007) and attitude towards PFME (p = .006).

CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study fill a gap in the prevalence and KAP concerning PFME at the primary care level. The foundation areas for future education and health promotion on UI should address the importance of correct PFME. This education can be delivered through a pragmatic way to ensure its effectiveness and sustainability of the health promotion program.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.