Evaluation of the behaviors and attitudes of health personnel in applying and teaching pelvic floor muscle exercises
12th International European Association of Urology Nurses Meeting, Vienna, Austria, 19 - 21 March 2011, pp.43, (Full Text)
- Publication Type: Conference Paper / Full Text
- City: Vienna
- Country: Austria
- Page Numbers: pp.43
- Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa Affiliated: No
Abstract
Introduction & Objectives Pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFME), which are closely related with women, should be extended in public both as the conservative treatment of incontinence and a preventive health behavior. Health personnel have significant responsibilities in this regard.
It was planned to determine the behaviors and attitudes of health professionals in applying and teaching the applications of PFME.
Material & Methods This is a descriptive study planned to be performed between October-2010 and February-2011. Study sample included all female health professionals employed in four public hospitals and all the students of Nursing and Midwifery School of two public universities in Istanbul. The study was composed of 148 individuals who agreed to participate in the study until November 2010. Data was collected by the researchers through face-to-face method using a survey form developed according to literature. In the analysis of the obtained data, SPSS 13 packet software was used.
Results Of the female health professionals who participated in the study, 24.3% were composed of doctors, 24.3% were nurses, 23% were midwives and 28.4% were students of nursing and midwifery. The mean age of the participants was 28.32±6.8 years. It was determined that 96.8% (n=146) of the participants had previous knowledge on PFME; however, 36.5% of them did not share this knowledge with other women. No statistically significant difference was detected between the health personnel (doctor, nurse, midwife) employed in clinics and the group not employed in the clinics (nursing and midwifery students) concerning sharing and teaching knowledge on PFME with other women (c2 =0,775, p>0,05). As the reason why they did not share the knowledge with other women; 42.6% of the participants stated negligence, 36.5% expressed not to have adequate knowledge on PFME, 23% believed that women could not comprehend the matter and 20.3% stated not to have enough time for this. Considering the application of PFME by participants, 70.9% of the participants were determined to apply PFME in their lives, while 28.4% never applied. 55.4% of the participants stated not to apply PFME on account of the incompatibility with their daily activities, and 27% did not apply it due to lack of discipline or interest.
Conclusions It was concluded that health personnel included in the study had high knowledge level on PFME; however, they were inadequate to apply and teach the exercises to other women.