講演情報
[O02-01]Access to Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy-Related Information and Treatment Among Brazilian Postpartum Women Living in Japan
*Takahara Vasconcelos Asami1、Dalcin Bertoldo Luiza2、森野 佐芳梨1 (1. Graduate School of Rehabilitation Science, Osaka Metropolitan University、2. Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University)
キーワード：
Postpartum Period、Physical Therapy Modalities、Health Services Accessibility
This study was approved by an institutional ethics committee. Participants received an explanation of the study objectives, procedures, voluntary participation, and protection of personal information. Electronic informed consent was obtained from all participants.
Background/Purpose: Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) and low back pain (LBP) are common during the postpartum period and impair quality of life. Although pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) is effective in managing these conditions, foreign residents in Japan have been reported to experience linguistic, cultural, and institutional barriers when accessing healthcare services. To date, little is known about access to PFPT-related information and services among Brazilian postpartum women living in Japan. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate previous awareness of PFPT, access to PFPT-related information and treatment, and perceived barriers to this access among this population.
Methods: This exploratory cross-sectional analysis included baseline data from 30 Brazilian postpartum women living in Japan. Participants were aged 18–45 years, were within 12 months postpartum and had experienced the postpartum period in Japan. They completed a questionnaire specifically developed for this study. Previous awareness of PFPT was categorized as aware and unaware from an open-ended question. Access to PFPT-related information and treatment in Japan was assessed through closed-ended questions, followed by open-ended questions exploring participants' experiences and perceived barriers to access, which were grouped into categories to identify common perceived barriers. Furthermore, participants were classified into low (none or basic Japanese) and high (conversational, professional, or fluent/native Japanese) language proficiency groups based on self-reported ability. Associations between Japanese-language proficiency (low vs. high) and two outcomes — obtaining PFPT-related information (yes/no) and receiving PFPT treatment (yes/no) — were examined using Fisher's exact test. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: Most participants (93.3%) had previous awareness of PFPT; however, only 26.7% reported obtaining PFPT-related information in Japan, while only two participants (6.7%) reported receiving PFPT treatment, both through online services provided by Brazilian professionals. PFPT-related information was obtained by 7 of 15 participants (46.7%) in the low Japanese-language proficiency group and 2 of 15 participants (13.3%) in the high-proficiency group, with no significant between-group difference (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.109). Among participants who sought PFPT treatment in Japan, 1 of 7 (14.3%) in the low Japanese-language proficiency group and 1 of 6 (16.7%) in the high-proficiency group reported receiving treatment, with no significant between-group difference (Fisher's exact test, p = 1.000). The most common barriers to accessing PFPT-related information and treatment included difficulty identifying providers or services, limited availability of specialized care, and language-related barriers. Among participants who did not seek treatment, the most reported reasons were not knowing where to access PFPT services, language barriers, and treatment costs.
Discussion: Although language barriers were commonly reported, no significant association was observed between Japanese-language proficiency and access outcomes. These findings suggest that multiple factors — including limited dissemination of PFPT-related information, poor visibility of specialized services, and financial barriers — may restrict access to PFPT.
Conclusion: Japanese-language proficiency alone did not explain access to PFPT-related information or treatment. Improving PFPT access for Brazilian postpartum women in Japan will likely require not only language support but also better dissemination of culturally appropriate PFPT-related information, improved guidance within healthcare settings, and greater availability of specialized services.
Methods: This exploratory cross-sectional analysis included baseline data from 30 Brazilian postpartum women living in Japan. Participants were aged 18–45 years, were within 12 months postpartum and had experienced the postpartum period in Japan. They completed a questionnaire specifically developed for this study. Previous awareness of PFPT was categorized as aware and unaware from an open-ended question. Access to PFPT-related information and treatment in Japan was assessed through closed-ended questions, followed by open-ended questions exploring participants' experiences and perceived barriers to access, which were grouped into categories to identify common perceived barriers. Furthermore, participants were classified into low (none or basic Japanese) and high (conversational, professional, or fluent/native Japanese) language proficiency groups based on self-reported ability. Associations between Japanese-language proficiency (low vs. high) and two outcomes — obtaining PFPT-related information (yes/no) and receiving PFPT treatment (yes/no) — were examined using Fisher's exact test. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: Most participants (93.3%) had previous awareness of PFPT; however, only 26.7% reported obtaining PFPT-related information in Japan, while only two participants (6.7%) reported receiving PFPT treatment, both through online services provided by Brazilian professionals. PFPT-related information was obtained by 7 of 15 participants (46.7%) in the low Japanese-language proficiency group and 2 of 15 participants (13.3%) in the high-proficiency group, with no significant between-group difference (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.109). Among participants who sought PFPT treatment in Japan, 1 of 7 (14.3%) in the low Japanese-language proficiency group and 1 of 6 (16.7%) in the high-proficiency group reported receiving treatment, with no significant between-group difference (Fisher's exact test, p = 1.000). The most common barriers to accessing PFPT-related information and treatment included difficulty identifying providers or services, limited availability of specialized care, and language-related barriers. Among participants who did not seek treatment, the most reported reasons were not knowing where to access PFPT services, language barriers, and treatment costs.
Discussion: Although language barriers were commonly reported, no significant association was observed between Japanese-language proficiency and access outcomes. These findings suggest that multiple factors — including limited dissemination of PFPT-related information, poor visibility of specialized services, and financial barriers — may restrict access to PFPT.
Conclusion: Japanese-language proficiency alone did not explain access to PFPT-related information or treatment. Improving PFPT access for Brazilian postpartum women in Japan will likely require not only language support but also better dissemination of culturally appropriate PFPT-related information, improved guidance within healthcare settings, and greater availability of specialized services.