Frequency of urinary incontinence among Turkish women, effective factors and its effect on quality of life

Abstract

ABSTRACTWhat is the frequency of urinary incontinence in Turkish women and how does it affect their quality of life? The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of urinary incontinence among Turkish women, effective factors and its effect on quality of life. Urinary incontinence, a health problem that is commonly seen among women, leads to primarily social and hygienic problems, and affects the physiological, psychological and economic aspects of individuals who are effected. This cross‐sectional study was conducted in the gynaecological outpatient clinics of a Turkish hospital, between 01 August 2014 and 26 December 2014. The population of the study consisted of 155 women aged 19 and over who applied to the gynaecology outpatient clinics for reasons other than pregnancy. The entire population was included in the study without selecting a sample. The data were collected by using a 16‐question questionnaire and King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ). A total of 67·7% of the women were found to suffer from urinary incontinence problem. A significant correlation was found between the age groups and incontinence problems. While pollakiuria was observed more in the age group of 20–29 years (37·3%), urge incontinence (35·6%), stress incontinence (36·2%), and enuresis nocturna (31·6%) were observed more in the age group of 30–39 years. Quality of life of women with bladder problems was significantly impaired. When the women with stress incontinence were compared with women who suffered from other incontinence problems, all sub‐scale mean scores obtained by the women with stress incontinence from KHQ were higher and the quality of life of these women was seriously impaired.