KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND AWARENESS TOWARDS PRENATAL AND POSTPARTUM PHYSIOTHERAPY AMONG OBSTETRICIANS AND GYNAECOLOGISTS IN PESHAWAR: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71000/8c7ana37Keywords:
Awareness, Gynecology, Knowledge, Obstetrics, Physical Therapy Modalities, Postpartum Period, Prenatal CareAbstract
Background: Physiotherapy is an essential component of comprehensive obstetric and gynecological care, contributing to the prevention and management of pregnancy-related, intrapartum, and postpartum complications. Evidence supports its role in improving musculoskeletal function, pelvic floor strength, pain control, and overall maternal well-being. Despite these benefits, the effective utilization of physiotherapy services largely depends on obstetricians’ and gynecologists’ awareness, knowledge, and referral practices. Limited integration within routine maternity care may compromise optimal maternal outcomes.
Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and awareness of obstetricians and gynecologists in Peshawar regarding prenatal and postpartum physiotherapy.
Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted using non-probability convenience sampling. A total of 178 obstetricians and gynecologists from public and private healthcare institutions in Peshawar were approached. Data were collected using a 28-item self-administered English-language questionnaire adapted from a validated instrument. The tool assessed knowledge, attitudes, awareness, and referral practices related to obstetric and gynecological physiotherapy. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics were used for categorical variables, and associations were examined using the Chi-square test, with a p-value <0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: Of the participants, 53% were affiliated with government hospitals and 47% with private institutions. All respondents were female, with 44.3% holding MBBS, 48.7% FCPS, and 7.0% MCPS qualifications. The mean age was 31.96 ± 9.59 years, and mean clinical experience was 7.92 ± 9.50 years. Awareness of physiotherapy was reported for antenatal care (61.7%), labor and parturition (67.8%), and postnatal care (89.6%). Knowledge regarding gynecological conditions varied, with higher awareness for uterine prolapse (76.5%) and lower awareness for pelvic inflammatory disease (27%). Regular and occasional referrals during pregnancy were reported by 10.4% and 57.4% of participants, respectively, while postnatal referrals were more frequent (35.7% regular, 36.5% occasional). Workplace setting showed a significant association with physiotherapy awareness (p < 0.05), whereas qualification did not influence referral practices (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: Obstetricians and gynecologists demonstrated better awareness of postnatal physiotherapy compared to antenatal and intrapartum care, with notable gaps in gynecological rehabilitation knowledge. Private sector practitioners showed stronger awareness and referral behaviors than those in public hospitals. Strengthening interprofessional collaboration and integrating specialized physiotherapy services within obstetric and gynecological departments may enhance maternal healthcare outcomes.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Maria Mehmood, Syed Muhammad Hammad, Saba Khan, Tayyab Awan, Sara Akbar (Author)
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