Factors associated with health-seeking for urinary incontinence in Hong Kong Chinese women: a cross-sectional study

• Published in: International Urogynecology Journal Vol. 35; no. 1; pp. 95 - 101
• Main Authors: Li, Minru, Wang, Huali, Ko, Wai-Kit, Kwong, Siu-Kei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adult; Aging; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Gynecology; Hong Kong; Humans; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Original Article; Patients; Quality of Life; Questionnaires; Surveys and Questionnaires; Urinary incontinence; Urinary Incontinence - diagnosis; Urinary Incontinence - epidemiology; Urology; Hong Kong; Hong Kong China; China; Urinary incontinence; Help-seeking behavior; Chinese women; Knowledge
• ISSN: 0937-3462; 1433-3023
• DOI: 10.1007/s00192-023-05656-5

Introduction and hypothesis To explore levels of urinary incontinence (UI) knowledge among Hong Kong Chinese women and the factors affecting patients’ help-seeking behavior. Methods Chinese women with age ≥ 40 years who attended General Out-patient Clinics between May 1 and June 30, 2022, were invited to complete the questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of four sections: (1) demographic data, (2) knowledge of UI (UI quiz), (3) severity of UI (UDI-6) and impairment of quality of life (QOL) (IIQ-7), and (4) barriers to seeking medical help. Severity of UI, impairment of QOL, knowledge of UI, and sociodemographic characteristics were analyzed regarding their relationship with help-seeking behavior. Results Of 351 women, 53.2% had symptoms of UI but only 25.0% symptomatic patients had consulted a doctor. The UI quiz score was 6.82 ± 2.76 (total 14) and the highest incorrect item was “Urinary incontinence is the normal aging” (incorrect rate 86.3%). The most frequent barrier for help-seeking was “The symptoms are not severe and do not affect me.” Logistic regression analysis showed that UDI-6 score (adjusted OR = 1.06, P  < 0.0001) and UI quiz score (adjusted OR = 1.30, P  = 0.001) were the independent impact factors of patient’s help-seeking behavior. Conclusions Hong Kong Chinese women’s knowledge toward UI is not sufficient, and the consultation rate is low. Besides symptom severity, the knowledge level of UI is the other independent factor affecting patients’ help-seeking behavior. Community education on UI may encourage women to seek early help.