At least half of all women who have given birth experience pelvic organ prolapse. The prevalence in Egypt is high and the age and parity remain the most predictive factors for the condition. There is a need to identify knowledge deficits, misconception, and common self-care practices used by women with pelvic floor dysfunction. The aim of the study was to measure women's knowledge about genital prolapse, and to identify their self-care practices to relieve its symptoms. The study was conducted at Assiut University Hospital using a cross-sectional analytic design. Subject consisted of 100 married women aged 20 to 60 years, having at least one vaginal delivery, and diagnosed as having genital prolapse. A specially designed interview schedule was developed for data collection; it included socio-demographic data, symptoms of genital prolapse, and knowledge about it, as well as women's reported self-care practice for relief of its symptoms.
The results revealed that low back pain, frequency and urgency of micturition, and feeling lower heaviness with cough of sneezing were the most common symptoms. Only 16.7% of the women had a satisfactory knowledge about genital prolapse. The most common self-care practices for dribbling of urine were changing underwear [68.7%], while 27.3% did nothing. Most women did nothing for dysuria [46.0%], defecation problems [68.7%], and dyspareunia [80.7%]; 51.3% of women reported reducing their prolapse for relief of the feeling of heaviness. Back pain was mostly treated by lying down on the back [20.7%], and 30.0% reported washing with soap and water for vaginal discharge. Low abdominal pain and dysmenorrhea were mostly managed by hot herbal drinks, 42.0% and 39.3%, respectively. The woman herself was the main source of information for almost all symptoms. Knowledge was statistically significantly higher among educated women, p < 0.001, and those with severe symptoms, p=0.03. Also, seeking medical advice was statistically significantly higher among younger [p=0.02] and educated [p=0.047] women. Statistically significant associations were revealed between seeking medical advice and knowledge about the causes [p=0.02] and management [p=0.02].
It is concluded that women with genital prolapse lack knowledge about this condition, and its causes and management. They also have a low health seeking behavior. The role of health care providers as source of information is minimal. Therefore, it is recommended  that nurses have a more prominent role in educating women about the predisposing factors symptoms and signs, and proper self-care practices.