Pelvic Floor Care Needs and Preferences of Older Women in Residential Care

Abstract

Background: Complications of pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death and disability among women of reproductive age in developing countries. In Mozambique, there were 1000 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births in the year 2000, compared to 20/100,000 in developed nations. Little is known of Mozambican women's beliefs about pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. The aim of this research project was to gain an understanding of the perceptions of pregnancy complications among women in the Sofala province of Mozambique. This research sought to discern some of the sociocultural reasons that contribute to primary delays in women seeking and receiving care. Methods: A triangulation of methodology was used: the information was gathered through general observation, a combined questionnaire and open-ended interview questions with 60 informants, as well as chart review. Research took place at two rural health clinics that provided basic emergency obstetric care (EmOC) and one rural maternal hospital that provided comprehensive EmOC in the Sofala province of Mozambique. The sample included women who were either pregnant, or had been pregnant in the previous 2 years. Results: Initial findings point to strong cultural barriers, mainly witchcraft, which deter the sharing of reproductive health knowledge among women. Additionally, women frequently described concurrent use of both the traditional and biomedical health care systems. Conclusions: How women learn about the risk of pregnancy complications and treatment for those complications are critical questions to be answered amidst the context of cultural barriers in Mozambique. Additionally, this study found that the use of traditional herbal preparations was pervasive, if not universal.

Elderly Women and Urinary Incontinence in Long-Term Care

“…O'Dell et al (2008) in a descriptive qualitative study interviewed 25 women aged 65-96 with pelvic floor dysfunction, to increase understanding of the views of frail elderly women in residential care related to QOL, values, and preferences for pelvic floor care. Study findings suggested that pelvic floor dysfunction was not reported to play a central role in general QOL in these elderly women with multiple co-morbidities.…”

Identifying Continence OptioNs after Stroke (ICONS): an evidence synthesis, case study and exploratory cluster randomised controlled trial of the introduction of a systematic voiding programme for patients with urinary incontinence after stroke in secondary care

“…Eight studies were identified: two studies were unpublished and therefore no data extraction was undertaken. 108,109 Of the remaining six studies, three were completed in the USA, 80,83,94 one in Canada, 93 one in New Zealand 79 and one in the UK. 92 …”

“…There are five qualitative studies, 79,83,[92][93][94] and one survey. 80 All studies collected data from clients, but Johnson et al 80 collected data from proxy respondents and also collected data from family members and nursing staff.…”

“…80 All studies collected data from clients, but Johnson et al 80 collected data from proxy respondents and also collected data from family members and nursing staff. Four studies used face-to-face interviews 79,83,93,94 and one of these studies also used focus groups. 93 One study used telephone interviews 92 and one study used postal questionnaires.…”

“…Two studies targeted older adults: community dwelling 80 and in residential care. 94 Two studies were specific to women participating in a programme of PFMT for SUI; 79,92,110 the remaining studies included people with mixed types of UI.…”