Table 1. General characteristics of the selected studies.
| References | Study Design/Period | Country | Sample (n) | Mean age ± SD (range) | Objectives |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freitas et al (2018)8 | CS/From January 2016 to October 2017 | Brazil | 133 | 53.3 (13.8) | To assess the level of knowledge about PFMs and the relationships between PFM knowledge and the ability to contract the PFMs, PFM strength, and prevalence of UI. |
| Arbuckle et al (2018)9 | CS/From August 2015 to June 2016 | United States of America | 216 | 17 ± 2.1 (14–17; 18–21) | To determine the prevalence and awareness of pelvic floor disorder (PFD) symptoms among adolescent females. Patient awareness of these disorders and awareness of pregnancy as a risk factor for PFD were also investigated |
| Cardoso et al (2018)10 | CS/March–June 2016 | Brazil | 118 | 21.6 ± 2.7 | To evaluate the prevalence of UI in female athletes practicing high-impact sports and its association with knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP). |
| Neels et al (2016)11 | CS/NI | Belgium | 212 | 21.6 (18–27) | To evaluate the knowledge of PFF in young nulliparous women. |
| Parden et al (2016)12 | CS/2014–2015 | United States of America | 1092 | 23.5 ± 3.1 (19–30) | To characterize lower urinary tract and PFS prevalence, awareness of these symptoms in women in general and in their family members |
| Dunivan et al (2015)13 | CS/NI | Mexico | 144 | 77.7 ± 9.1 (55–90) | To evaluate knowledge about UI and POP among elder southwestern American-Indian women and to assess knowledge by comparing questionnaire scores of these American-Indian women to historic controls. |
| Mandimika et al. (2015)14 | CS/Febr2010–Aug2011 | United States of America | 416 | 52.5 ± 18.0; 38.3 ± 15.2; 50.2 ± 17.5 (19–98) | To compare PFD knowledge among women of different racial/ethnic groups, focusing on aspects of knowledge that are more likely to influence patient behavior, including PFD risk factors and treatment options. |
| Day et al (2014)26 | PS/NI | Ireland | 36 | NI – included 50+ | To describe community-dwelling Irish women's knowledge of UI. |
| Perera et al (2014)15 | CS/3 weeks | Sri Lanka | 400 | 41.94 (21–88) | To determine the prevalence, degree of severity, identify associated factors and study the perceptions and health seeking behavior of women with SUI attending a health care facility. |
| Shrestha et al (2014)16 | CS/NI | Nepal | 4,693 | 30.0 ± 7.4 | To assess UP knowledge among married women of reproductive age and to determine the association between UP knowledge and socioeconomic characteristics. |
| Mandimika et al. (2014)17 | CS/ Feb 2010–Aug 2011 | United States of America | 431 | 49.2 ± 17.9 (19–98) | To investigate baseline knowledge and demographic factors associated with a lack of knowledge about UI and POP. |
| Good et al (2013)18 | CS/ May2011–Aug 2012 | United States of America | 213 | 58.9 ± 14.1 | To describe patient knowledge about POP diagnosis and treatment, and patient attitudes regarding the uterus in women seeking care for POP symptoms. |
| Morhason-Bello et al (2012)19 | CS/NI | Nigeria | 1,955 | 34.8 (15–65) | To describe the perceived causes of UI and factors associated with awareness of causes of UI among women in the community. |
| Kang (2009)20 | CS/NI | Korea | 182 | 51.2 | To explore knowledge and attitudes about UI among Korean-American women with incontinence and provide initial information. |
| Shah et al (2008)21 | CS/ March–December 2006 | United States of America | 126 | 35.7 | To assess the knowledge of UI and POP of white women versus non-white women. |
| Wong et al (2006)22 | CS/3 months | China | 540 | (17–77) | To assess the prevalence, knowledge, and behavior of the search for treatment of UI by Chinese women. |
| Kubik et al (2004)24 | CS/May2002–Febr2003 | United States of America | 212 | (35–80) | To investigate if UI knowledge is different between white and minority groups, and if there is an association between SES and UI knowledge, and if SES explains differences in UI knowledge between white and minority race/ethnic groups. |
| Kim et al (2004)23 | CS/ Dec2002–Jan2003 | Korea | 276 | (55–97) | To examine the prevalence of UI and UI-related knowledge among community-dwelling Korean women aged 55 and over. |
| Kubik et al (2004)24 | CS/May2002–Febr2003 | United States of America | 212 | (35–80) | To investigate if UI knowledge is different between white and minority groups, if there is an association between SES and UI knowledge, and if SES explains differences in UI knowledge between white and minority race/ethnic groups. |
Abbreviations: BT, bladder training; CS, cross-sectional; FI, fecal incontinence; NI, not informed; PF, pelvic floor; PFDs, pelvic floor disorders; PFEs, pelvic floor exercises; PFF, pelvic floor function; PFMT, pelvic floor muscle training; PFM, pelvic floor muscle; PFS, pelvic floor symptoms; PS, pilot study; POP, pelvic organ prolapse; SES, socioeconomic status; SUI, stress urinary incontinence; UI, urinary incontinence; UP, uterine prolapsed; KAP, knowledge, attitude, and practice.