The lived experience of pelvic organ prolapse in Saudi Arabia: an exploration of the perspectives of Saudi women living with pelvic organ prolapse.

Alshiakh, Fahda 2022. The lived experience of pelvic organ prolapse in Saudi Arabia: an exploration of the perspectives of Saudi women living with pelvic organ prolapse. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

Background Pelvic organ prolapse (POP or prolapse) is a commonly discussed topic in international literature but appears to be under-researched in Arab and Islamic societies, specifically in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, there are no national-level prevalence data sets and anecdotal evidence suggests that women delay seeking professional support until later stages of the condition when physiotherapy management is no longer efficient. Additionally, the hospitals particularly in the western province of Saudi Arabia, are not equipped with resources for women’s health physiotherapy service provision. Previous literature suggests that culture shapes the experience of POP. Hence, this study was conducted to provide an in-depth exploration of the lived experience of Saudi women with POP. Research process Participants were recruited from one of the governmental hospitals in the western province of Saudi Arabia. Women attending urogynaecology clinic were invited to take part in the study if they had a vaginal protrusion, sense of heaviness, or previously confirmed POP that has not been surgically managed. Semi-structured interviews with women (n=8) were conducted and then analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings The analysis of women’s experiences with prolapse generated five themes: the conceptualisation of prolapse, social support provided by family, the physical implications of prolapse and its effects on marital relationship, the healthcare seeking behaviour of women with prolapse, and the role of Saudi Arabian culture in shaping the experience of prolapse. Women had no previous knowledge about prolapse but understood it to be normal to ageing, frequent childbirth, housework, and early marriage. Approaching other women in the family was the first thing women did after experiencing the symptoms and various forms of support were received. The physical symptoms of prolapse altered women’s body image perception and affected their intimate lives but it was only perceived to be IV problematic if it was concerned with husband. Women chose to delay seeking professional help despite being bothered by the symptoms. Their healthcare seeking behaviour was affected by a wide range of factors; some acted as triggers or barriers to seeking healthcare support. Lastly, the analysis of the study data revealed that the Saudi Arabian culture has greatly affected womens’ experience with prolapse. Conclusion The study has contributed to new knowledge and understanding about the experience of Saudi women with prolapse. The life world of women in Saudi Arabia impacted every aspect of their lives and it shaped their experience of the illness in addition to their healthcare seeking behaviour. The Saudi Arabian culture and the social norms were an overarching theme that fed into the themes generated from the analysis. The findings of this study have valuable implications for women, women’s health physiotherapy service provision, and the healthcare system in Saudi Arabia.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Healthcare Sciences
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	4 November 2022
Last Modified:	06 Jan 2024 03:34
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/153961

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