Knowledge and practice regarding Pelvic Floor Disorders among mid-level health providers in eastern Nepal: A cross-sectional study

Authors

  • Tulasa Basnet Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal
  • Baburam Dixit Thapa Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal
  • Subhadra Agrawal Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal
  • Keshu Kafle School of Public Health, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal
  • Milan Ghimire School of Public Health, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal
  • Santosh Kumar Jha Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal
  • Mohan Chandra Regmi Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal

Keywords:

pelvic floor disorders, pelvic organ prolapse, perception, screening, urinary incontinence

Abstract

Aims: Pelvic floor disorders negatively affect the quality of life of women worldwide. Lack of adequate knowledge among women as well as health workers and limited access to health care has deprived women of proper management. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and common practice regarding PFDs among mid-level health providers.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among mid-level health providers attending training on reproductive health morbidity screening at the health training centers of two hilly districts of eastern Nepal after ethical clearance from Institutional Review Committee, BPKIHS. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire, pretested before the use. The participants were requested to complete questionnaire before the training session was started. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results: Out of 72 participants, 71 completed the questionnaires. Mean age of participants was 30.56±8.27 years. Among them, 63.4% were nurses and 36.6% ANMs; 81.7% were aware of pelvic floor disorders (PFD), 90.2% identified pelvic organ prolapse (POP) as the commonest PFDs in Nepal, 91.4% were aware of risk factors and 32.4% knew about Urogynecology subspeciality. Majority (53.4%) were not screening for PFDs routinely. Nearly 40% participants would reassure and refer the patients with POP, 53% do so for urinary incontinence and 70% would refer patients with obstetric fistula and fecal incontinence. Only 35% would start treatment for pelvic organ prolapse. Those with experience > 5 years were more likely to screen PFDs (p=0.007) and start treatment for pelvic organ prolapse (p=0.034).

Conclusion: Mid-level health providers are aware of common pelvic floor disorders but are not routinely screening these disorders or practicing simple conservative management strategies. Training these health workers with proper screening guidelines on pelvic floor disorders is imperative.

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Published

2024-01-24

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Section

Original Articles