KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTIONS OF FEMALE PELVIC FLOOR DISORDERS AMONG PARTNERED MALES

To examine the knowledge and perceptions of female pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) among men in active or former long-term relationships.

Men 45 years and older previously or currently in a long-term (≥3 years) intimate relationship with a woman were recruited from a urology clinic. Respondents completed the validated Prolapse and Incontinence Knowledge Questionnaire, with supplemental questions assessing attitudes on PFDs. The primary outcome was knowledge proficiency in the pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and urinary incontinence (UI) domains, defined as ≥50% and >75% correct, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis assessed factors associated with proficiency in both domains. Secondary outcomes included rates of high response confidence, defined as responding with "don't know" less than 50% of the time.

Of the 134 respondents, 22% demonstrated proficiency in the POP and 13% in the UI domain, with median scores of 1/12 and 3.5/12, respectively. Employed men were more likely to demonstrate knowledge proficiency (POP: aOR 6.24, p <0.01; UI: aOR 6.94, p=0.024) and exhibit higher rates of response confidence (POP: aOR 5.39, p=0.01; UI: aOR 5.54, p<0.01), relative to retired men. Higher education, older age, and having a partner with POP were associated with proficiency in the POP domain only. Fewer than 25% of men felt they should be involved in treatment decisions related to PFD.

Men in long-term relationships exhibited low PFD knowledge. Future research is needed to determine if a relationship exists between improved knowledge among male partners and care-seeking behavior among women with PFDs.