Effectiveness of the pelvic floor awareness education program in rural women

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a pelvic floor awareness education program (PFAEP) among women living in rural areas who experience pelvic floor symptoms. Method: The study included 75 women. The women randomly divided into the intervention group (n=37) and control groups (n=38). Women in the intervention group received comprehensive PFAEP for 2 hours, while the control group received no intervention but they were given an informational brochure on pelvic floor health. Pelvic floor symptom severity with the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 (PFDI-20), health literacy (HL) with the Turkish Health Literacy Scale-32 (THLS-32), and knowledge about pelvic floor health with the Pelvic Floor Health Knowledge Quiz (PFHKQ) was evaluated. Evaluations were made before and after the education program. Results: It was observed that the urinary symptom complaints were high in the intervention group (32.37) and the control group (33.22). Women's HL levels were found that 76.5% of the intervention group and 79% of the control group were below the adequate level. It was determined that both groups' PFHKQ scores were quite (2.78; 3.92) before intervention. After the program, a greater increase was observed in the PFHKQ total score and sub-scales of the intervention group compared to the control group (p<0.001). Conclusion: The pelvic floor awareness education program was effective in increasing women's knowledge about pelvic floor function/dysfunction, risk/etiology and diagnose/treatment. To improve and maintain pelvic health, education programs should be organized taking into account women's knowledge levels.