AWARENESS OF PHYSIOTHERAPY SERVICES DURING PREGNANCY AMONGST WOMEN IN UAE: A SURVEY

A. Qureshi¹, R. Khan¹, S. Shaikh¹, S. Ramakrishnan^2,3, M. Bose⁴, A. Gopakumar⁵, P.K. Kandakurti⁶

¹Gulf Medical University, BPT Graduate, Physiotherapy, Ajman, United Arab Emirates, ²Gulf Medical University, Lecturer, Physiotherapy, Ajman, United Arab Emirates, ³University of Sharjah, Lecturer, Physiotherapy, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, ⁴Gulf Medical University, Assistant Professor, Physiotherapy, Ajman, United Arab Emirates, ⁵Emirates Health Services, Statistical Specialist, Data & Statistics Dept (DSD), Dubai, United Arab Emirates, ⁶Gulf Medical University, Dean, College of Health Sciences, Ajman, United Arab Emirates

Background: Despite the extensive research on the benefits of physiotherapy during and after pregnancy, the awareness of the role of physiotherapy during and after pregnancy is less researched upon especially in the UAE. Furthermore, we observed low footfall for antenatal physiotherapy sessions in our clinical settings leading us to question their awareness.

Purpose: Primary aim of the study was to determine whether women are aware of physiotherapy services offered during the phases of pregnancy. We also explored factors which influence this awareness and whether they understand importance of physiotherapy during pregnancy.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on women through a validated self-reported questionnaire about the awareness, knowledge of physiotherapy treatments and its importance during and after pregnancy. It distributed through use of social media and face-to-face interactions. Eligibility criteria was to include female residents of the UAE who is primipara or having one or more children. The data was analyzed using descriptive analysis and Pearson’s Chi square test for associating factors with the awareness of Physiotherapy.

Results: Out of 259 responses recorded, 169 participants were aware and 90 were unaware of the physiotherapy services during and after pregnancy. Occupation was found to be significantly associated with the awareness level during pregnancy(χ 2 (1) =7.37, p= 0.007). Employed participants believed that physiotherapists could give exercises without any complications during pregnancy(χ 2 (1) = 7.55, p =0.006). Age, occupation, number of pregnancies and the awareness of physiotherapy services was found to be significantly associated with a women’s decision to avail physiotherapy services during pregnancy (p<0.05). Moreover, occupation, awareness of physiotherapy service during and after pregnancy as well as awareness of physiotherapy services available in the UAE were significantly associated with the participant’s opinion on the importance of the role of physiotherapy in pregnancy. (p<0.05).

Conclusions: Awareness about physiotherapy services during pregnancy is lacking among women in UAE. Very few women were found to utilize physiotherapy services during pregnancy. Future research is recommended on the awareness of physicians about physiotherapy services offered during pregnancy.

Implications: Women will opt for Physiotherapy services if they are made aware of the benefits, resulting in a safe and healthy pregnancy. In addition, physicians need to be made aware about the benefits of Physiotherapy interventions in various phases of pregnancy to improve the referrals in this field. Creating awareness through campaigns and community health camps describing the role of physiotherapy and its importance during the different phases of pregnancy irrespective of complications for women as well as the physicians is the need of hour.

Funding acknowledgements: This study is not a funded project but supported by Gulf Medical University, Ajman, UAE.

Keywords:
Obstetric Physiotherapy
Lack of Awareness
Occupational level

Topics:
Pelvic, sexual and reproductive health
Primary health care
Service delivery/emerging roles

Did this work require ethics approval? Yes

Institution: Gulf Medical University

Committee: Institutional Review Board

Ethics number: IRB/COHS/STD/33/FEB-2022