PERCEPTION OF ANTENATAL PHYSICAL THERAPY CARE AMONG ELITE CLASS PREGNANT WOMEN OF LAHORE: A SOCIOECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE

Background: Perception shapes how individuals form ideas and beliefs. Physical therapy, a vital multidisciplinary approach, significantly enhances quality of life by addressing various health aspects. In antenatal care, physiotherapists play a crucial role in assisting women through the physical and emotional challenges of pregnancy and labor. Objective: To evaluate the perception of antenatal physical therapy care among elite class pregnant women and to explore how socioeconomic factors influence their access to these services. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 100 adult women (ages 19-44) in normal singleton pregnancies, using non-probability convenient sampling. Participants were required to understand English and were excluded if they had high-risk pregnancies. A standardized questionnaire with an interclass coefficient of 0.945 assessed their perceptions. Results: Out of 100 participants, 79% were aware of physiotherapy, but only 47% knew about antenatal exercises. While 52% had good knowledge of physiotherapy's role in antenatal care, 60% showed a positive attitude. Despite 85% having access to private healthcare, only 40% had visited a physiotherapist. Additionally, 65% stated that income influences their decision to seek care, and 50% would recommend physiotherapy, though 25% were unsure. Conclusion: The study reveals 52% of elite-class pregnant women in Lahore have good knowledge and 60% hold a positive attitude toward antenatal physical therapy, gaps in practice persist. Despite 85% having access to private healthcare, many have not sought physiotherapy care. Socioeconomic factors, particularly income, strongly influence access, emphasizing the need for better education and promotion of antenatal physiotherapy.