Pelvic Floor Health Knowledge and Pelvic Floor Dysfunctions in Disadvantaged Romani Women Living in Sulukule: Associations with Sociodemographic Factors, Health Literacy and Quality of Life

Pelvic floor dysfunctions (PFD) negatively affect women’s quality of life (QoL) and may reduce help-seeking behavior, especially among disadvantaged populations. Evidence on regarding Romani women in socioeconomically deprived settings, such as Sulukule, remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate pelvic floor health (PFH) knowledge and PFD, and to examine their relationships with sociodemographic characteristics, health literacy, and QoL. A total of 92 women (mean age: 40.9 ± 12.9 years) were included between September and November 2025. Pelvic floor knowledge (Pelvic Floor Health Knowledge Quiz (PFHKQ)), PFD (Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory–20), health literacy (Turkish Health Literacy Scale-32), and QoL (Short Form-12) were assessed. Univariate analyses and multivariable linear regression identified predictors of PFH knowledge and PFD severity. Of the participants, 68.5% had never heard of the pelvic floor, and 71.9% were unaware that pelvic floor muscles can be trained. PFHKQ scores differed by education level and mode of delivery, with higher scores observed among women with higher education levels and those who had cesarean deliveries (p < 0.05). Health literacy was unrelated to PFH knowledge or PFD. QoL was inversely correlated with PFD severity, with stronger associations for the physical than the mental component. In multivariable analyses, age, body mass index (BMI), and education level independently predicted PFH knowledge, while BMI and education level independently predicted PFD severity. Romani women had low PFH knowledge and health literacy, with limited awareness of conservative management. These findings suggest that education and body weight are important factors in PFH outcomes in this population.