Willingness to Try Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Among Women Attending Gynecology Clinics in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study of Beliefs, Barriers, and Facilitators
- 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King Abdul Aziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Abstract
Objective:: Pelvic floor physiotherapy (PFPT) is a first-line conservative treatment for pelvic floor dysfunction. This study assessed the beliefs, attitudes, perceived barriers, and willingness of women attending obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) clinics in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to try PFPT.
Methods:: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 women attending OBGYN outpatient clinics at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between May 10, 2025, and August 30, 2026. Participants completed a bilingual questionnaire assessing demographics, medical and obstetric history, knowledge, beliefs, perceived barriers, and willingness to try PFPT. Associations were analyzed using chi-square, Fisher’s exact, and independent t tests.
Results:: In the current study, 200 participants were included. Willingness to try PFPT was 64.0% if offered free and increased to 84.0% when recommended by a physician; 91.5% agreed or strongly agreed they would try PFPT if advised by their doctor. Knowledge was generally good, with 65.5% recognizing that pelvic floor exercises reduce urinary leakage and 87.5% expressing confidence in learning them. Financial cost was the most reported barrier (56.5%), followed by difficulty accessing services (48.0%). The preferred delivery mode was in-person care with a female physiotherapist (72.5%), followed by video- or app-based home programs (39.5%). Although 24% reported urinary incontinence, only 11% had previously consulted a physiotherapist.
Conclusion:: Women attending OBGYN clinics showed high willingness to try PFPT, particularly when recommended by a physician. Addressing cost and access barriers, increasing physician endorsement, ensuring availability of female physiotherapists, and expanding digital delivery options may improve PFPT uptake.
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BibTeX
@article{shamrani2026willingness,
title = {{Willingness to Try Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Among Women Attending Gynecology Clinics in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study of Beliefs, Barriers, and Facilitators}},
author = {Hanan Mohammed Shamrani},
journal = {Urology Research and Practice},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.5152/tud.2026.26048},
url = {https://doi.org/10.5152/tud.2026.26048},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Willingness to Try Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Among Women Attending Gynecology Clinics in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study of Beliefs, Barriers, and Facilitators
AU - Hanan Mohammed Shamrani
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/16
JO - Urology Research and Practice
DO - 10.5152/tud.2026.26048
UR - https://doi.org/10.5152/tud.2026.26048
AB - Objective:: Pelvic floor physiotherapy (PFPT) is a first-line conservative treatment for pelvic floor dysfunction. This study assessed the beliefs, attitudes, perceived barriers, and willingness of women attending obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) clinics in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to try PFPT. Methods:: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 women attending OBGYN outpatient clinics at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between May 10, 2025, and August 30, 2026. Participants completed a bilingual questionnaire assessing demographics, medical and obstetric history, knowledge, beliefs, perceived barriers, and willingness to try PFPT. Associations were analyzed using chi-square, Fisher’s exact, and independent t tests. Results:: In the current study, 200 participants were included. Willingness to try PFPT was 64.0% if offered free and increased to 84.0% when recommended by a physician; 91.5% agreed or strongly agreed they would try PFPT if advised by their doctor. Knowledge was generally good, with 65.5% recognizing that pelvic floor exercises reduce urinary leakage and 87.5% expressing confidence in learning them. Financial cost was the most reported barrier (56.5%), followed by difficulty accessing services (48.0%). The preferred delivery mode was in-person care with a female physiotherapist (72.5%), followed by video- or app-based home programs (39.5%). Although 24% reported urinary incontinence, only 11% had previously consulted a physiotherapist. Conclusion:: Women attending OBGYN clinics showed high willingness to try PFPT, particularly when recommended by a physician. Addressing cost and access barriers, increasing physician endorsement, ensuring availability of female physiotherapists, and expanding digital delivery options may improve PFPT uptake.
SN - 2980-1478
ER -