Knowledge, perception, and attitude of pregnant women towards the role of physical therapy in antenatal care: a cross sectional study in Lahore, Pakistan

Objective: To determine knowledge, pregnant females' attitude and their perception of physiotherapy during pregnancy. Methodology: This descriptive cross sectional study included 106 expecting ladies of age 18-40 years who were interviewed in any trimester of pregnancy presenting them for regular antenatal checkups from April to September 2018 at University of Lahore Teaching Hospital, Nawaz Sharif Social Security Hospital, Services Hospital and had no neurological deficit. Results: Only 51.9% of participants were aware of antenatal exercises. 34.0% participants were aware of physiotherapy whereas 17.9% of them perceived physical therapy is largely about physical exercises and 58.5% of them considered gynecologists, the prime advisor to prescribe physical workouts in pregnancy. Only 13.2% had sufficient knowledge about benefits of antenatal exercise. 53.77% women exhibited positive attitude regarding antenatal care but only 42.5% women were currently doing exercises. Conclusion: Lack of knowledge on the importance of physiotherapy and different types of antenatal exercises during pregnancy were found in this study. Majority of them perceive physical therapy as exercises. However, majority had positive attitude towards physical therapy.