Obstetric Nurses' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Professional Support Related to Actual Care Practices About Urinary...

The objective of this study was to evaluate obstetric nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward urinary incontinence (UI) during pregnancy and identify factors associated with their actual specific care practices for recommending pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT).

A cross-sectional study was conducted among obstetric nurses attending an academic conference about perinatal care in China. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire, including demographic and professional information, professional supports included clinical protocol and learning experience, knowledge, attitudes, and practices of UI.

Four hundred and seven obstetric nurses completed the survey (89.8% response rate). The correct answer rates of the vast majority of knowledge items was more than 80%. The majority of participants strongly agreed that antenatal PFMT is effective in UI treatment and prevention (69.5% and 69.0% respectively). Although only less than 30% of participants always recommended PFMT to incontinent or continent pregnant women (29.5% and 25.3%, respectively), obstetric nurses with clinical protocol, learning experience, and positive attitudes were more likely to recommend PFMT for treating UI (odds ratio [OR], 2.165, P < 0.001; OR, 1.759; P = 0.014; OR, 2.326; P < 0.001, respectively). Obstetric nurses with clinical protocol and positive attitudes were more likely to recommend PFMT for preventing UI (OR, 2.252; P < 0.001; OR, 1.693; P = 0.005, respectively).

Most obstetric nurses have good knowledge and positive attitudes toward UI during pregnancy, but fail to deliver care for it. Clinical protocol, learning experience, and positive attitudes are facilitators of their actual specific care practices for recommending PFMT. This finding suggests the need for developing clinical protocols and education programs regarding UI during pregnancy.