Prevalence and Knowledge of Urinary Incontinence and Awareness about Physical Therapy Treatment among Young Females of Lahore

Abstract

Background: Urinary incontinence (UI), defined as involuntary urinary dribble at rest or under slight stress, is prevalent among women, particularly those who are pregnant or have had vaginal deliveries. While various treatments, including medical and physical therapy, are available for UI, awareness and knowledge about these treatments among young females remain unclear. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of UI and the knowledge of physical therapy treatment options among young females in Lahore. Objective: To determine the prevalence and knowledge of urinary incontinence and the awareness of physical therapy treatment among young females in Lahore. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 250 young females aged 16-35 years from Jinnah Hospital Lahore, Sheikh Zayed Hospital Lahore, Ittefaq Hospital Lahore, and General Hospital Lahore. Data were collected using a self-reported quantitative questionnaire, the "International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire – Short Form" (ICIQ-SF), which assessed awareness about UI and knowledge of treatment options. Participants were briefed on the questions to ensure accurate responses. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 25, with results presented as frequencies and percentages. Results: The study involved 250 females with an age range of 16-35 years, of whom 156 (62.4%) were single, and 94 (37.6%) were married. Obstetric data revealed that 16 (6.4%) were nulliparous, 81 (32.4%) were multiparous, 53 (21.2%) had normal labor deliveries, 49 (19.6%) had cesarean section deliveries, and 5 (2.0%) had experienced episiotomy. UI prevalence was found in 83 (34%) participants, with 63 (25%) affected moderately and 24 (10%) severely. Regarding health knowledge, 121 (48.4%) had never heard of UI, and 142 (56.8%) did not know about the presence of medical treatment. Moreover, 196 (78.4%) were unaware of the availability of physiotherapy treatment for UI. Conclusion: The prevalence of UI among young females in Lahore was significant, but the knowledge about UI and its medical treatment was relatively low. Awareness of physiotherapy treatment options was particularly lacking. These findings highlight the need for enhanced educational efforts to improve the understanding and management of UI among this population.