Urinary incontinence in women: quality of life and help-seeking

British Journal of Nursing : BJN
Faith Howard, Martin Steggall

Abstract

Urinary incontinence on its own is not considered life-threatening, yet it has been shown to negatively affect a patient's wellbeing. While it is considered a common problem, with approximately 3 million women in the UK affected, the number of those women seeking help is much lower. This article will explore the relationship between urinary incontinence, quality of life (QoL), and barriers to help-seeking behaviour. Developing an understanding of this patient group will highlight implications for nursing practice. A number of factors appear to contribute to how women experience urinary incontinence, and how it impacts on QoL. While not all of these can be fully explored, the predominant factors appear to be: severity of urinary incontinence; type of urinary incontinence; age; and the actual QoL score itself. QoL 'scores' are significant when women decide whether or not to seek help for urinary incontinence. Seeking help often depends on beliefs and an understanding of how the condition can be treated. Health promotion, the training of health professionals, and further research are required to improve the understanding of women's experiences, and to develop appropriate services with which to manage this condition.

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Citations

Feb 15, 2012·Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics·Haim KrissiYoav Peled
May 25, 2011·International Journal of Nursing Practice·Nicola Cornally, Geraldine McCarthy
Jun 21, 2014·Journal of Nursing Scholarship : an Official Publication of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing·Regina Ruiz de Viñaspre HernándezEncarnación Rubio Aranda
Nov 1, 2016·International Urogynecology Journal·Donna MazloomdoostRachel N Pauls
Dec 24, 2010·International Neurourology Journal·Bo Eun KwonMi Ae You
Sep 5, 2017·Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms·Dilek BilgicOnay Yalcin
May 27, 2017·International Urogynecology Journal·Donna MazloomdoostRachel N Pauls
May 28, 2019·BMC Family Practice·Chi Chiung Grace ChenSonia Dutta
Nov 1, 2017·Journal of Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies Engineering·Kenneth SouthallJeffrey W Jutai

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