AWARENESS OF GYNECOLOGICAL REHABILITATION IN PREGNANCY, A SURVEY AMONG PREGNANT PATIENTS IN GYNAE OPD DOW UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, KARACHI

BACKGROUND Pregnancy is the ideal time for positive lifestyle modifications, including consuming more healthy diet and increasing physical activity. Importance of exercise is supported by the increasing evidence for individual health but unfortunately women are not much aware about the benefits and importance of exercises. OBJECTIVE To evaluate how much the pregnant patients coming in gynecological OPD of DOW college clinic, Karachi know about gynecological rehabilitation in their pregnancy period. Moreover, the study will analyze the knowledge level of patients regarding rehab importance during pregnancy. METHODS AND MATERIALS A cross-sectional study design will be conducted to carry out the study. 158 participants were selected through convenient sampling technique from DOW university hospital, Karachi and the data will be collected by a self-structured questionnaire. DATA ANALYSIS SPSS version 22 will be used for the purpose of statistical analysis. Mean and standard deviation were calculated for all quantitative variables like age. Frequency and percentages were calculated for categorical variables like residence, educational status. RESULTS On the basis of gravida, patients of primi-gravida were 38(24.1%) and para-gravida 120(75.9%). 63.3% patients were unaware about physiotherapy services during pregnancy, 90.5% of patients didn't know about kegal exercises, 56.3% of patients were unaware that weak pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) can cause urinary incontinence. CONCLUSION A majority of pregnant patients were participated and demonstrated in inadequate knowledge about gynecological rehabilitation in pregnancy. However, the patients who had awareness of gynecological rehabilitation were in minority. Information about the exercises during pregnancy considerably influences the approach towards exercises in pregnancy.