AWARENESS OF PHYSIOTHERAPY INTERVENTIONS AMONG PREGNANT FEMALES IN THE ANTENATAL CLINICS, BUFFALO CITY MUNICIPALITY, EASTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA

Sajan M.11University of Western Cape, Physiotherapy, Cape Town, South AfricaBackground: Maternal health is one of the main global health challenges and a public health priority for South Africa. Reduction of the maternal mortality ratio by three-quarters by 2015 was the target for the Millennium Development Goal 5. The health workforce is identified as the key to effective health services. Socioeconomic circumstances and educational levels of women are the possible indicators for not accessing the services rendered at hospitals. A key focus of maternal health policy is improving the health status of women by adequate referrals to other health team members and social support systems.Purpose: The main aim of the study was to explore women's awareness and use of antenatal services at Cecilia Makiwane Hospital. The specific objectives of this study was to determine the awareness of physiotherapy interventions among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic as well as the health professional's knowledge about physiotherapy in the antenatal clinic.Methods: A concurrent mixed method study design was used to collect data. A self-administered close ended questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data from 258 pregnant mothers out of a possible 290. Qualitative data was collected through in-depth interviews from 3 doctors and 3 nurses working in the antenatal clinic respectively. Quantitative data was analysed using the SPSS version 21.0. Descriptive data was presented in the form of percentages, means, standard deviations, frequency tables, figures and graphs. A chi-squared test of association was used to determine the factors influencing awareness and utilization of physiotherapy services in the antenatal clinic. Audiotaped interviews were transcribed, verbatim and expressed ideas were read several times, coded and reduced into categories and themes.Results: A response rate of 89% was obtained. The mean age of the pregnant mothers was 30.05 (SD=6.76). The majority of the mothers (90%) who were aware of the antenatal services offered at the clinic were not aware of physiotherapy antenatal services (64.5%). Only 35.5% knew about antenatal physiotherapy services in the antenatal clinic (P=.021). Similarly there was a statistically significant relationship between the source of information from the antenatal clinics and utilization of physiotherapy services (P=.000). Poor utilization of physiotherapy services were related to lack of awareness, poor information and referral systems in the antenatal clinic. Furthermore, lack of knowledge on the importance of physiotherapy in the antenatal clinic was evident while interviewing the doctors.Conclusion(s): Antenatal physiotherapy services ranked the least among other services offered at the antenatal clinic (35%). There is a need to increase awareness about physiotherapy interventions in the antenatal clinics among pregnant mothers as well as health professionals working there.Implications: Antenatal care is a perfect example of preventive medicine in South Africa where health promotion can be strengthened through awareness campaigns, outreach programs, radio and broad casting messages and educational sessions empowering husbands, families and communities to make healthy life choices. The cost effectiveness of antenatal classes enables physiotherapists to engage in health education regarding musculoskeletal problems, crippling effects of HIV and burden of lifestyle associated diseases necessitating reduction in maternal mortality.Funding acknowledgements: NoneTopic: Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageingEthics approval: Ethical clearance was granted by the University of the Western Cape’s Research Committee and Eastern Cape Department of Health.All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.