Incidence and impact of urinary incontinence and health related quality of life for postpartum Bangladeshi women: comparison by birth mode

Abstract

Purpose/Hypothesis: To investigate the incidence of urinary incontinence (UI) and relationship between UI, comorbidity, and health related quality of life (HRQOL) of postpartum Bangladeshi women. Comorbidity, and health related quality of life (HRQOL) of postpartum Bangladeshi women.Number of Subjects: n=94Materials/Methods: Prospective, correlational design (n=94) postpartum Bangladeshi women, ages 18-44, with history of one or more obstetrical deliveries within the last three years. This study was implemented at the Center for Rehabilitation of the Paralyzed (CRP) in Bangladesh after approval of CRP Ethics Board and IRB approval at Nova Southeastern University. Subjects who met the inclusion criteria for the study and signed the written consent were included in the study and completed the Bengali version of SF-36 and IIQ-7.Results: Six subjects were eliminated from the study because of co-morbidity exclusion factors. Eight subjects were excluded from main data analysis and utilized for comparison because of “mixed birth mode” (MBM). UI incidence was reported at 45.3% (n=86) total, 44% CS, and 46.6% for NVD (CS: n=41; NVD: n=45). IIQ-7 scores and UI presence showed strong correlations in both CS (rho=.729, 84, pConclusions: No significant difference between birth modes was found in UI and HRQOL measures. A significant decrease in HRQOL for women during postpartum period compared to age related norms was reported. Report of abdominal/pelvic pain and presence of UI were directly related to HRQOL in this study. Future research should focus on pelvic/abdominal pain in the postpartum period and “mixed birth mode” impact on QOL and UI.Clinical Relevance: There are no studies comparing HRQOL with incidence and impact of UI and comorbidities amongst Bangladeshi women by birth mode. Postpartum UI and co-morbidities are physical therapy related disorders that are commonly seen in the clinic and have a direct impact on health related quality of life for women.