Pelvic floor muscle exercise awareness among the students of college of health studies

Abstract

Introduction: Review of previous studies shows that pelvic floor muscle awareness within the population is lacking despite the proven fact that pelvic floor muscle exercises help maintain and restore the optimal function of the pelvic floor muscles. Purpose: The purpose of the present study is to determine the knowledge and awareness of the pelvic floor muscle exercises among the students of College of Health Studies, University of Ljubljana. Methods: The survey was conducted among the third year students of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, nursing and midwifery in the school year 2005/2006. The data were collected with a half-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and Chi square test were performed as appropriate. Differences were considered significant for p values ? 0,05. Results: Questionnaires were filled out by 26 (19,4 %) physiotherapy students, 40 (29,9 %) occupational therapy students, 24 (17,9 %) midwifery students and 44 (32,8 %) nursing students. All 134 questionnaires were used in the study. 122 (91 %) students learnt about these exercises during lectures and clinical practice. 91 (67,9 %) students believe that these exercises should be performed only by women and 84 (63,6 %) are of the opinion that the exercises should be started between the age 20 and 40. 125 (93,3 %) students would recommend these exercises also to people without problems. Conclusion: The study shows that knowledge and awareness of pelvic floor muscles among students of College of Health Studies, Ljubljana is poor. It follows that greater significance should be assigned to the issue within the study programs.