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Research Week Abstract Book - Northern Health

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Women’s <strong>Health</strong> and Paediatrics<br />

MULTILINGUAL ToileTING PosTER IMProVES KNOWLEDGE OF CORRECT<br />

DEFECATON TECHNIQUE IN POSTnaTal WOMEN<br />

Schofield C.<br />

Women’s <strong>Health</strong> AND PAEDIAtrics<br />

Background<br />

Chronic straining at stool is a major risk factor for development of pelvic floor muscle dysfunction. Yet many women are<br />

unaware that using the correct defecation technique can improve bowel evacuation, help avoid straining and protect the<br />

pelvic floor.<br />

Aim<br />

To determine whether the introduction of a multilingual “correct toileting position” poster improves knowledge of correct<br />

defecation technique in postnatal women on the Maternity and Women’s <strong>Health</strong> Unit (MWHU).<br />

Methodology<br />

This project was undertaken on the MWHU at The <strong>Northern</strong> Hospital between May and July 2012.<br />

Baseline data was collected over four consecutive weeks. Postnatal patients were interviewed by the ward physiotherapist<br />

and asked to demonstrate correct defecation technique, and where they had learned this technique.<br />

A multilingual “correct toileting position” poster was then placed in each of the bathrooms on the MWHU.<br />

Following the introduction of the poster, the ward physiotherapist collected the same data from a new cohort of postnatal<br />

patients over four consecutive weeks.<br />

Results<br />

Results from 66 women were included in the baseline data, and results from 46 women were included in the postintervention<br />

data. In both groups the majority of women spoke English (77% in the baseline group and 75% in the postintervention<br />

group)<br />

At baseline only 21% of patients were able to demonstrate correct defecation technique, compared with 61% in the postintervention<br />

group. Of this, 93% stated that they had learned the technique from the poster.<br />

Conclusion<br />

Introduction of a multilingual toileting technique poster significantly improved knowledge of correct defecation technique in<br />

postnatal patients on the MWHU at TNH.<br />

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