Prevalence, Associated Factors, and Impact on Quality of Life of Female Urinary Incontinence in a Thai Rural Area

• Main Authors: Benjamat Khuawan, Jittima Manonai, Somsak Suthutvoravut, Vajira Singhakajen, เบญจมาศ เคลือวัลย์, จิตติมา มโนนัย, สมศักดิ์ สุทัศน์วรวุฒิ, วชิระ สิงหะคเชนทร์
• Other Authors: Mahidol University. Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Format: Original Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2022
• Subjects: Urinary incontinence; Prevalence; Associated factors; Quality of life; กลั้นปัสสาวะไม่อยู่; ความชุก; ปัจจัยที่เกี่ยวข้อง; คุณภาพชีวิต
• Online Access: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/79744
• Institution: Mahidol University

Objective: To assess the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI), its associated factors, and its impact on the quality of life (QOL) of women. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted by interviewing 385 women who lived in a Thai rural area in Wangsila Village, Wangnamyen District, Srakaew Province. The questions comprises of demographic data, history of childbirth and medical diseases. Urinary incontinence symptoms within 1 month prior to the interview were asked using simple question. Quality of life was assessed using the Incontinence Quality of Life queationnaire. Results: Seventy-eight women (20.3%) had urinary incontinence. Among them, 5 (1.3%) had stress urinary incontinence, 14 (3.6%) had urge incontinence and 59 (15.3%) had both types. The significant associated factor was parity with age as a confounder. The impact on QOL as assessed by I-QOL questionnaires was that all of the following three domains were affected: limiting activities, the psychological aspect, and social embarrassment. From a 100 percent score of quality of life, UI decreased the score of three domains of QOL: limiting activities, the psychological aspect, and social embarrassment (93.3%, 92.0%, and 86.8%, respectively) Conclusions: The prevalence of UI among Thai woman in the rural area was 20.3%. Most had both stress and urge incontinence. The significant associated factor was parity with age as a confouder. UI had a negative impact on three domains of QOL of Thai women in the rural area.