Investigation of Pelvic Floor Muscle Strength of the Women Admitted to the Gynecology Clinics and the Evaluation of Affecting Factors [Malatya İl Merkezinde Jinekoloji Polikliniklerine Başvuran Kadınların Pelvik Taban Kas Kuvvetinin Değerlendirilmesi ve Etkileyen Faktörlerin İncelenmesi]

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the factors affecting pelvic floor muscle strength of the women admitted to the gynecology clinics in Malatya by evaluating their pelvic floor muscle strengths with perineometry device. This study is of a cross-sectional type. In the sample selection, stratified cluster sampling method was used. 430 women between the ages of 20-50 were included in the study. In the analysis process; Chi-square and logistic regression were used. In our study, the mean value of pelvic floor muscle strength has been found to be 31.4±9.6 cmH₂O. According to results of this research, it has been found out that there are primary relational factors between having a normal or mixed births (OR=5.546, CI=2.586-11.895), being at the age of 40 years and older (OR=3.484, CI=1.982-6.125) and pelvic floor muscle strength weakness (p<0.05). Conclusion: Pelvic floor muscle strength values have been found to be quite low. According to the results of this study, it can be suggested that primary health care staff should make informative studies to the individuals about risk factors negatively affecting pelvic floor muscle strength and exercise programs about pelvic floor muscles strength.

Key Words: Pelvic floor muscle strength, perineometry, risk factors