Comparison of Pelvic Floor Health Knowledge Levels of Physiotherapy Rehabilitation and Midwifery Undergraduate Students

Year 2025, Volume: 1 Issue: 2, 43 - 50, 30.12.2025

Ferve Türkeli , Serkan Bakırhan

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the knowledge levels of undergraduate students in the physiotherapy and rehabilitation and midwifery departments about pelvic floor health. A total of 393 (47 males, 346 females) undergraduate students from the physiotherapy and rehabilitation and midwifery departments were included in the study. The mean age was 22.6 ± 1.38 years for physiotherapy and rehabilitation students and 22.08 ± 1.93 years for midwifery students. The Demographic Data and Evaluation Form and Pelvic Floor Health Knowledge Test and sub-parameter questionnaires were applied to all students. The sub-parameter scores (function/dysfunction and diagnosis/treatment) and total mean scores for the Pelvic Floor Health Knowledge Test were found to be higher for physiotherapy and rehabilitation department students than midwifery department students (p<0.05). In the comparisons of the scores according to year levels within the departments, 4th year students in the physiotherapy and rehabilitation department had higher scores than the other years (p<0.05). Among midwifery students, knowledge levels were found to be higher at the 3rd and 4th year levels (p<0.05). The level of knowledge about pelvic floor health was higher among physiotherapy and rehabilitation department students compared to midwifery department students (p<0.05). In the study, the knowledge level of physiotherapy and rehabilitation department students regarding pelvic floor health was generally higher than that of midwifery department students. This situation reveals the need to increase and structure education about pelvic floor health at undergraduate level for midwifery students.

Keywords

Pelvic floor health , Knowledge level , physiotherapy , midwifery

Ethical Statement

The study was conducted with the research permit obtained from the Dean's Office of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Ege University (dated 18.04.2024 and numbered E-92072199-302.08.01-1820892), and with the approval of the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of the Rectorate of Ege University, granted at the meeting held on 04.04.2024 (decision number 24-4T/14).

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