Adaptation and Translation of the Australian Pelvic Floor Questionnaire for Pregnant and Postpartum Kannada-Speaking Women in India: A Cross-Cultural Validation Study

Many women face the challenges of pelvic floor dysfunction, which manifest through symptoms such as urinary incontinence, urinary tract infections, fecal incontinence, flatulence, sexual problems, and pelvic organ prolapse. It’s noteworthy that pelvic floor dysfunction affects up to 25% of all women. These issues often emerge or worsen during and after pregnancy, burdening young women with silent struggles. Due to the stigma and cultural barriers surrounding these topics, they often refrain from seeking treatment. Early identification and management of these disorders are critical to prevent potential long-term complications.

The Australian pelvic floor questionnaire (APFQ)is an interviewer-administered tool designed to comprehensively assess pelvic floor health, encompassing bladder, bowel, and sexual function, as well as pelvic organ prolapse, severity, bothersomeness, and condition-specific quality of life. It’s a well-validated instrument and has been successfully translated into a few languages, including Swedish, Polish, Brazilian, Sinhala, Chinese, among others. These translations have expanded the reach of this assessment tool to women worldwide, breaking down cultural barriers that surround pelvic floor problems.

However, in India, no such translations are available, and Kannada, being the predominant language in the Vijayapura district, presents an opportunity for cultural adaptation and validation. Thus, our aim is to translate the APFQ into Kannada, ensuring it is culturally acceptable to the local pregnant and postpartum population, thereby enabling early identification and management of pelvic floor disorders.