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International Urogynecology Journal
Published in: International Urogynecology Journal 11/2019

01-11-2019 | Original Article

Pelvic floor muscle knowledge and relationship with muscle strength in Brazilian women: a cross-sectional study

Authors: Leticia Maciel de Freitas, Kari Bø, Ana Carolina Nociti Lopes Fernandes, Natalia Uechi, Thaiana Bezerra Duarte, Cristine Homsi Jorge Ferreira

Published in: International Urogynecology Journal | Issue 11/2019

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Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

There seems to be little knowledge about pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) in the general population; however, literature confirming this assertion is scarce, especially in developing countries. The present study hypothesized a low level of knowledge about PFMs in a sample of Brazilian women and a positive relationship between that knowledge and the ability to contract the PFMs, strength, and urinary continence.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study including 133 women. A questionnaire assessing knowledge about PFMs and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-UI-SF) were applied. Vaginal palpation and manometry were used to assess PFM condition. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to test the association between PFM knowledge and continuous variables, and Fisher’s exact test was used to compare the women’s PFM knowledge with the categorical variables.

Results

A low level of PFM knowledge was observed in this sample, with a mean total score of 0.48 (±0.97). Vaginal manometry peak, mean, and duration values were 39.1 cmH2O (±23.7), 25.5 cmH2O (±16.1), and 21.1 s (±20.8) respectively. The ICIQ-UI-SF mean score was 7.1 (± 6.8). There were weak correlations between PFM knowledge and age (r −0.2044/ p = 0.01), and parity (r −0.19568/p = 0.02). PFM knowledge was higher among women with higher education levels (p = 0.0012) and those who had previously performed PFM training (p <0.001).

Conclusion

The participants showed a low level of PFM knowledge. No relationship between PFM knowledge and ability to contract or prevalence of UI was observed.
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Metadata
Title
Pelvic floor muscle knowledge and relationship with muscle strength in Brazilian women: a cross-sectional study
Authors
Leticia Maciel de Freitas
Kari Bø
Ana Carolina Nociti Lopes Fernandes
Natalia Uechi
Thaiana Bezerra Duarte
Cristine Homsi Jorge Ferreira
Publication date
01-11-2019
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
International Urogynecology Journal / Issue 11/2019
Print ISSN: 0937-3462
Electronic ISSN: 1433-3023
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-018-3824-y

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