Stress urinary incontinence in women as a medical, social, psychological and economic problem – assessing the extent of knowledge of students graduating in medical fields

Abstract

Stress urinary incontinence occurs when there is an increase in pressure inside the abdomen accompanied by involuntary leakage of urine associated with coughing, sneezing, laughing or demanding physical labour. It is a serious condition that isolates women from society, prevents efficient functioning, limits social contacts and forces a change in lifestyle. The fear of leakage of urine and odour arouses embarrassment, adversely affecting the psyche - leading to decreased self-esteem, neurosis and depression. In addition, in the absence of appropriate hygiene measures, or the lack of financial resources to acquire them, incontinence can be a factor excluding women from normal life. The aim of this study was to assess the extent of knowledge of students graduating in medical fields on stress urinary incontinence in women as a medical, social, psychological and economic problem. The study involved 1,581 students during their final year of medical studies, studying at various universities. The study involved 1,255 women and 326 men. We created a questionnaire which was verified by the CEM - Institute for Market Research and Public Opinion in Krakow. The largest percentage of respondents (95%) in all groups believes that stress urinary incontinence is primarily a medical problem, approx. 92% of respondents also regarded it as a psychological problem. It was shown that stress urinary incontinence in women was found to be a medical, social, psychological and economical problem by more than half of the students of medical, obstetric and nursing fields.