Prevalence Of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction In Postpartum Women: A Systematic Review
Keywords:
Pelvic floor dysfunction, postpartum women, urinary incontinence, faecal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, prevalenceAbstract
Background: Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is a common yet underreported condition among postpartum women, encompassing urinary incontinence (UI), faecal incontinence (FI), and pelvic organ prolapse (POP). These conditions significantly impact physical health, emotional well-being, and quality of life (Memon & Handa, 2013). Despite its clinical importance, the prevalence of PFD in the postpartum period varies widely across studies, necessitating a systematic synthesis of current evidence.
Objective: To systematically review and synthesize the available literature on the prevalence of pelvic floor dysfunction in postpartum women globally and identify associated factors contributing to its occurrence.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across five electronic databases—PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and CINAHL—for studies published between January 2000 and March 2024. Search terms included “pelvic floor dysfunction,” “urinary incontinence,” “faecal incontinence,” “pelvic organ prolapse,” “postpartum,” and “prevalence.” Studies included were observational in design (cross-sectional, cohort), conducted on postpartum women up to one year after delivery. Two independent reviewers performed study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist. Data synthesis included a narrative summary and pooled prevalence estimates where applicable.
Results: From an initial yield of 3,128 articles, 28 studies met the inclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of PFD ranged from 23% to 67%, with urinary incontinence being the most commonly reported subtype. Vaginal delivery, multiparity, and advanced maternal age were identified as significant risk factors (Gyhagen et al., 2014).
Conclusion: Pelvic floor dysfunction is a prevalent postpartum condition with substantial public health implications. Early screening, targeted interventions, and standardization in diagnostic criteria are essential to improve maternal outcomes
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