Knowledge and attitude towards Urinary Incontinence (UI) among non-health female workers in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (Hospital USM)

• Main Author: Rosnal, Siti Nurwardiah
• Format: Monograph
• Language: English
• Published: Universiti Sains Malaysia 2014
• Subjects: RC870-923 Diseases of the genitourinary system. Urology
• Online Access: http://eprints.usm.my/58021/1/SITI%20NURWARDIAH%20BINTI%20ROSNAL%20-%20e.pdf; http://eprints.usm.my/58021/

Urinary incontinence (UI) is one of pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) which is known as loss of bladder control. It is common among adult women and it is an embarrassing issue to be discussed openly. Urinary incontinence in adult female usually occurs during sneezing, coughing and while doing some physical activity such lifting weights. It has negative impacts to the women in aspects of physical, emotional and the psycho-social. The objective of the study was to identify the existence of UI among non-health female workers in Hospital USM, the women’s knowledge and attitude towards UI and association between respondents selected demographic characteristics (age, marital status, family monthly income and education level) and their knowledge and attitude. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 88 respondents from eight settings in Hospital USM. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 with descriptive and inferential test include, Chi-Square Test and Fisher Exact Test for the categorical variables. Urinary incontinence was experienced by 29 respondents (33%). Forty-nine percent of respondents had adequate knowledge on UI (n=43). The majority of respondents had higher attitude towards UI, 55% (n=48) and they thought UI is an embarrassing and thus, reluctant to seek treatment. Family income (p-value=0.036) and education level (p value= 0.027) had a significant association with the attitude towards UI. Respondents also had misconceptions about UI that it is a normal condition of being a woman and getting old and also thought that UI can be resolved on its own by time. Therefore, there is a need to increase women’s awareness about UI to help its prevention as well as motivate them to seek treatment for UI.