Prevalence of Urinary Incontinence among Pregnant Women: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Outpatient Department of Al-Ain Hospital

Abstract

Our purpose is to determine the prevalence of urinary incontinence and its relation to various factors among pregnant women in the local population. A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted among 105 pregnant women attending routine antenatal care (ANC) in Al Ain Hospital. Participants were screened for urinary incontinence using the International. Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire -Urinary Incontinence (ICIQ-UI Short Form). English and Arabic Versions. Of 105 pregnant women, 49% (n=51) complained of Urinary Incontinence. Stress incontinence being the most common type accounting for 52% women, followed by Urge incontinence with 42%. 50% women reported leaking no more than once a week; in 76% of them the volume was small in amount. Majority (60.4%) of the women reported that incontinence had no or minimum effect on their quality of life.The incidence of incontinence increased with advanced age where 65% of the older age group (> 35 years) complained of UI compared to 42% of the younger age group (≤35 years) (P = 0.027). Urinary incontinence was experience more in multiparous women compared to primiparous (p=0.034). Also, women with multiple vaginal deliveries had more UI compared to Csections (P = 0.012). There was no significant correlation between the presence of UI and other factors such as Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, Urinary tract infections and Constipation. In conclusion, a significant proportion of pregnant women experienced urinary incontinence which was not reported to their primary care providers. Therefore, more education and awareness must be enforced to ensure early detection and management.