Abstract
BACKGROUND: Kegel exercise or pelvic floor muscle exercise helps in improving the strength of the pelvic floor muscles and building up their function. OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of Kegel exercise among pregnant women in primary health care (PHC) setting in Abha City, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 370 pregnant women. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and P values were used to analyse the data. RESULTS: Pregnant women with a higher level of education and an income of 5000 to 10000 SAR demonstrated a higher proportion of good practice. The presence of specific chronic diseases, such as psychiatric disorders and diabetes mellitus, was significantly associated with poor practice. Physicians were identified as the primary source of information about Kegel exercises, followed by social media and family/friends. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that education, income level, chronic diseases and the source of information play significant roles in the practice of Kegel exercises among pregnant women. Healthcare providers should provide comprehensive education and ensure equal access to resources for all pregnant women. Tailored support should be provided to women with chronic diseases, and healthcare professionals should actively discuss Kegel exercises during antenatal visits. The study emphasizes the importance of multidimensional approaches to promote the practice of Kegel exercises during pregnancy and enhance pelvic floor health.