Urinary Incontinence in Pregnant Women: Prevalence, Associated Factors, and Its Effects on Health-Related Quality of Life

• Published in: Journal of wound, ostomy, and continence nursing Vol. 43; no. 5; p. 511
• Main Authors: Kok, Gulsah, Seven, Memnun, Guvenc, Gulten, Akyuz, Aygul
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.09.2016
• Subjects: Adult; Ambulatory Care Facilities - organization & administration; Ambulatory Care Facilities - statistics & numerical data; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Prevalence; Quality of Life - psychology; Risk Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Turkey - epidemiology; Urinary Incontinence - complications; Urinary Incontinence - epidemiology; Urinary Incontinence - psychology
• ISSN: 1528-3976
• DOI: 10.1097/WON.0000000000000262

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for urinary incontinence (UI) during pregnancy and to evaluate its effect on health-related quality of life. Descriptive, cross-sectional study. The sample of the study comprised 287 pregnant women attending an outpatient clinic located in a research and training hospital in Ankara, Turkey. Data were collected using an investigator-developed questionnaire that included 2 validated instruments, the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form and Incontinence Quality of Life scale. The prevalence of UI in the study population was 21.3% (n = 61). Cumulative scores in pregnant women who "always" experienced UI and those who expressed a "large amount" of UI were lower than women with milder UI. Logistic regression analysis found associations between UI and age in years (odds ratio [OR] = 3.833; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.763-8.332), parity (OR = 2.539; 95% CI, 1.135-5.675), third trimester versus first trimester (OR = 3.206; 95% CI, 1.178-8.725), and prior use of hormonal contraceptives (OR = 0.209; 95% CI, 0.085-0.513). Urinary incontinence is prevalent among pregnant women. Age, parity, and gestational week were associated with an increased likelihood of UI during pregnancy. Prior use of contraceptive hormones was associated with a reduced risk of UI during pregnancy.