Awareness And Perception of Manual Therapy In Improving Woment's Fertility Among Physiotherapists In Malaysia: A Cross-Sectional Study

• Main Authors: Shirley, C.L, Yughdtheswari, Muniandy, Sharmila, G.K.P, Siti Hazirah, S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: INTI International University 2020
• Subjects: QP Physiology; RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology
• Online Access: http://eprints.intimal.edu.my/1449/1/ij2020_34.pdf; http://eprints.intimal.edu.my/1449/; http://intijournal.newinti.edu.my
• Institution: INTI International University

Problem Statement: Infertility is a global health care concern and is clinically defined as failure to attain clinical pregnancy despite 12 months or more unprotected coitus. Manual therapy (MT), commonly used in physiotherapy, is used as part of infertility management. To date, no research concerning MT in infertility management in Malaysia. Objective: To determine the awareness and perception of MT in improving women’s fertility among Physiotherapists in Malaysia. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study with a total of 222 participants recruited via non-probability sampling design. Participants are physiotherapists in Malaysia with a minimum qualification of Diploma in Physiotherapy. The survey tool used is a pre-validated structured questionnaire distributed to the participants through an online platform. Results and Discussion: Majority participants were female with age range of 23-32 years and from state of Selangor. Out of 222 responses, only 12 participants (5.4%) have experience in treating infertility cases using MT. Despite lack of awareness of majority participants (50.5%) on MT as management for infertility, participants exhibit interest on the use of MT in clinical practice in women’s health cases concerning infertility. Conclusion: Physiotherapists in Malaysia exhibit low awareness on the utilization of MT in improving women’s fertility. Survey further reveals positive perception and interest amongst physiotherapists in the application of MT as a management in women’s infertility cases.