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Haleh Sangi-Haghpeykar, PhD, Pantea Mozayeni, MD, and Paul Fine, MD. OB/GYN, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, (713)798-8057, halehs@bcm.tmc.edu
Background: Despite the efficacy of initiation of pelvic floor exercises (PFXs) post-partum in the prevention of future urinary incontinence (UI), adherence to this regimen is commonly poor. This finding could partially be due to inadequate counseling about PFXs. There is a paucity of data concerning prevalence of UI as well as knowledge, and practice of PFXs during pregnancy and post-partum among low-income minority women in particular Hispanics. Hispanic women experience a number of wellness challenges, pointing to the need for further investigation of their health issues. Methods: 210 women attending an inner city clinic were surveyed at 6 months post-partum. The majority (85%) were Hispanic. Results: Prevalence of post-partum UI was 22% (21.6% Hispanics vs. 25% non-Hispanics p=.7), with onset primarily during pregnancy (70%). Only one in five women (20%) had received any information regarding PFXs pre or post-partum. Most instructions were given orally (60%), and few received any physical demonstration of the technique by a provider (6%). In multivariate analysis, Hispanic women were one third as likely to have received any information about PFXs as compared to non-Hispanics (adjusted odds ratio [OR]=.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] = .16, .94, p=.03). Of women who had received information about PFXs, 57% practiced it, often (45%) daily. The primary reasons for non-compliance were perception that PFXs would not help (36%), and not understanding the instructions (29%). Conclusion: The prevalence of counseling regarding PFXs appears to be low and inadequate among Hispanic women. Future educational programs need to ensure that women understand the instructions and can perform the technique correctly and to remove any misperception regarding the method.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Maternal Health, Exercise
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.