Hill Anne-Marie, McPhail Steven M, Wilson Judith M, Berlach Richard G
School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia, Australia, 6845.
Centre for Functioning and Health Research, Metro South Health, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Int Urogynecol J. 2017 Oct;28(10):1557-1565. doi: 10.1007/s00192-017-3309-4. Epub 2017 Mar 14.
Pregnant women benefit from completing pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFMEs). The aims of the study were to evaluate pregnant women's levels of awareness, knowledge, and beliefs about the pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) and PFMEs.
A cross-sectional survey was conducted. Respondents were pregnant women over the age of 18 years who attended antenatal clinics in Western Australia (WA). Questionnaire items measured awareness and knowledge about PFMs, confidence and beliefs about engaging in PFMEs, and attendance at antenatal education (ANE) classes. Chi-squared tests examined potential associations between questionnaire items and respondent characteristics.
Mean gestation of respondents (n = 633 out of 850; 74% response rate) was 28.7 (+7.8) weeks and 50% were giving birth for the first time. Although 76% of respondents knew that PFMs can prevent urinary incontinence, only 27% knew that they prevented faecal incontinence and 41% thought it was normal to leak urine when pregnant. Only n = 72 (11%) were practicing PFMEs. Respondents who had attended ANE (28%) were significantly more knowledgeable about pelvic floor function (p < .001) and significantly less likely to believe that leaking urine during pregnancy was normal (p = 0.02), compared with those who had not attended ANE. Respondents who did not speak English at home (18%) were significantly less knowledgeable about PFMs and PFMEs, and significantly less likely to have attended, or planned to attend, ANE classes.
Pregnant women require more health education regarding PFMs. Education should be provided using diverse modes, especially for women from migrant backgrounds and women who do not plan to attend formal ANE classes.
孕妇通过完成盆底肌肉锻炼（PFMEs）可从中受益。本研究的目的是评估孕妇对盆底肌肉（PFMs）和PFMEs的认知水平、知识掌握情况及信念。
开展了一项横断面调查。受访者为年龄在18岁以上、在西澳大利亚州（WA）产前诊所就诊的孕妇。问卷项目测量了对PFMs的认知和知识、对进行PFMEs的信心和信念，以及参加产前教育（ANE）课程的情况。卡方检验用于检验问卷项目与受访者特征之间的潜在关联。
受访者（850人中的633人；回复率74%）的平均孕周为28.7（±7.8）周，50%为首次分娩。尽管76%的受访者知道PFMs可预防尿失禁，但只有27%知道其可预防粪失禁，41%认为孕期漏尿是正常现象。仅有72人（11%）在进行PFMEs。与未参加ANE的受访者相比，参加过ANE的受访者（28%）对盆底功能的了解明显更多（p<0.001），且认为孕期漏尿正常的可能性明显更低（p=0.02）。在家不说英语的受访者（18%）对PFMs和PFMEs的了解明显更少，参加或计划参加ANE课程的可能性也明显更低。
孕妇需要更多关于PFMs的健康教育。应采用多种方式提供教育，尤其是针对移民背景的女性和不打算参加正规ANE课程的女性。
