TY - JOUR
T1 - Social impact and healthcare-seeking behavior among women with urinary incontinence in the United Arab Emirates
AU - Elbiss, Hassan M.
AU - Osman, Nawal
AU - Hammad, Fayez T.
N1 - Funding Information:
The present study was funded by a grant from the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University .
PY - 2013/8
Y1 - 2013/8
N2 - Objective To determine the prevalence and social impact of urinary incontinence (UI) and healthcare-seeking behaviors among women in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods A study was conducted of 429 women who attended family development foundation centers in Al Ain, UAE, between January 1, 2010, and January 31, 2011. Data on sociodemographics, obstetric and medical history, and factors related to UI were obtained using a questionnaire. Results The prevalence of UI was 42.2% (mean age, 37.8 years). Aspects of daily life (praying, social activities, physical activities, or sexual relationship) were disrupted by UI among 78.0% of the women, with severe effects reported by 8.8%. Independent risk factors for UI were education level, history of "dragging" genital lump, and constipation. In all, 50.5% of the affected women did not seek medical advice, stating the following reasons: hoped for spontaneous resolution of UI (61.9%); embarrassed to visit a male or female clinician (35.9%); believed that UI was a normal occurrence among women (31.5%); embarrassed to visit a male clinician (29.3%); and unaware that treatment was available (23.9%). Conclusion Although UI was prevalent in the UAE and affected quality of life, less than half of all women with this condition sought medical advice.
AB - Objective To determine the prevalence and social impact of urinary incontinence (UI) and healthcare-seeking behaviors among women in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods A study was conducted of 429 women who attended family development foundation centers in Al Ain, UAE, between January 1, 2010, and January 31, 2011. Data on sociodemographics, obstetric and medical history, and factors related to UI were obtained using a questionnaire. Results The prevalence of UI was 42.2% (mean age, 37.8 years). Aspects of daily life (praying, social activities, physical activities, or sexual relationship) were disrupted by UI among 78.0% of the women, with severe effects reported by 8.8%. Independent risk factors for UI were education level, history of "dragging" genital lump, and constipation. In all, 50.5% of the affected women did not seek medical advice, stating the following reasons: hoped for spontaneous resolution of UI (61.9%); embarrassed to visit a male or female clinician (35.9%); believed that UI was a normal occurrence among women (31.5%); embarrassed to visit a male clinician (29.3%); and unaware that treatment was available (23.9%). Conclusion Although UI was prevalent in the UAE and affected quality of life, less than half of all women with this condition sought medical advice.
KW - Healthcare-seeking behavior Prevalence Quality of life Social impact Urinary incontinence
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84879783725&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84879783725&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2013.03.023
DO - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2013.03.023
M3 - Article
C2 - 23764126
AN - SCOPUS:84879783725
SN - 0020-7292
VL - 122
SP - 136
EP - 139
JO - International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics
JF - International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics
IS - 2
ER -