Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Gerontological Nursing, Faculty of Nursing – Minia University
2
Community Nursing, Faculty of Nursing – Minia University
3
Obstetric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing – Minia University
Abstract
Background: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common reproductive problem affecting more
than one-third of women between 20–59 years of age, and more than half of women over 60
years worldwide, and negatively affecting their daily physical activities. Aim: To assess
determinants and symptoms severity of pelvic organ prolapse and its effect on physical
activities among the elderly versus childbearing women. Methodology: A descriptive research
design was carried out on a purposive sample of 300 cases (150 for each childbearing and old
age women) attended to the outpatient gynecologic clinic of Minia Maternal and Child
University Hospital, at Minia governorate, Egypt, over a period of six months from October
2019 till March 2020, and met the following inclusion criteria: Females were of childbearing
age (≥ 18-49 yrs.), and of old age (≥60 yrs.), diagnosed as pelvic organ prolapse (POP), able to
communicate and agree to participate in the study. Tools: Three tools were utilized to collect
data. First tool: A Structured questionnaire sheet covered (demographic data, medical and
obstetrical history, and self-reported symptoms of POP). Second tool: Severity of POP
assessment tool. Third tool: Physical activities assessment scale (ASS). Results: It was found
that 50% of the elderly women versus (23%) of the childbearing women had severe symptoms
of POP, moreover, (66.7% & 13.3%) of them respectively had greater impairment in their
physical activities with a highly statistically significant difference between the two studied
groups, and there was a positive correlation between the severity of prolapse symptoms and the
degree of physical impairment among both studied groups. Furthermore, multiple linear
regression analysis reflected that age, higher parity, vaginal deliveries, level of education, body
mass index, duration of prolapse, and chronic constipation were significantly affected the
severity of prolapse symptoms among both studied groups. Conclusion: The severity of POP
symptoms was higher among the elderly versus childbearing age women which consequently
lowering their physical activities. Additionally, (aging, malpractice of pelvic floor exercise,
higher parity, vaginal deliveries, overweight, chronic constipation, and heavy lifting) are the
commonest leading determinants of POP and are significantly associated with the severity of
prolapse symptoms among the studied sample. Recommendations: An urgent need for health
educational intervention by health care providers targeting the primary prevention considering
the concluded leading determinants of prolapse, as well as secondary prevention for women
with mild to moderate degree of genital prolapse at all places especially in the rural
communities.
Keywords
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