TY - JOUR
T1 - The impact of urinary incontinence in working women
T2 - A study in a production facility
AU - Fitzgerald, Sheila T.
AU - Palmer, Mary H.
AU - Kirkland, Victoria L.
AU - Robinson, Leslie
PY - 2002/4/17
Y1 - 2002/4/17
N2 - Objectives: The objectives of this study were to identify the impact of self-reported UI on working women, to describe urine loss symptoms, strategies used to control urine loss, and help-seeking behavior among full-time women working in a rural production facility. Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was used and questionnaires were distributed to 500 women (response rate, 54%). Items elicited information on demographics, health, parity, symptoms and duration of urine loss, strategies to manage urine loss, effects of UI on work activities, level of knowledge about UI and treatment options, perceived importance of getting professional help, and actual help seeking behavior. Results: Twenty-nine percent (n = 78) reported UI at least monthly. Incontinent women were older (44.8 years vs. 38.1 years) than continent women (t = -5.22, p<.001) and incontinent women had a significantly higher average body mass index (BMI) than continent women (t = -4.3, p<.001). More women reported urine loss with coughing, lifting, bending, and when hands were in water, and were more likely to use pads at work to control urine loss. Few women had reported UI to a health care provider (36%) and most wanted more information about UI (85%). Conclusions: UI is a prevalent problem for working women. Workplace programs designed to assist women with prevention, treatment, and management of UI are crucial.
AB - Objectives: The objectives of this study were to identify the impact of self-reported UI on working women, to describe urine loss symptoms, strategies used to control urine loss, and help-seeking behavior among full-time women working in a rural production facility. Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was used and questionnaires were distributed to 500 women (response rate, 54%). Items elicited information on demographics, health, parity, symptoms and duration of urine loss, strategies to manage urine loss, effects of UI on work activities, level of knowledge about UI and treatment options, perceived importance of getting professional help, and actual help seeking behavior. Results: Twenty-nine percent (n = 78) reported UI at least monthly. Incontinent women were older (44.8 years vs. 38.1 years) than continent women (t = -5.22, p<.001) and incontinent women had a significantly higher average body mass index (BMI) than continent women (t = -4.3, p<.001). More women reported urine loss with coughing, lifting, bending, and when hands were in water, and were more likely to use pads at work to control urine loss. Few women had reported UI to a health care provider (36%) and most wanted more information about UI (85%). Conclusions: UI is a prevalent problem for working women. Workplace programs designed to assist women with prevention, treatment, and management of UI are crucial.
KW - Help-seeking behaviors
KW - Urinary incontinence
KW - Working women
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0036205184&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0036205184&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1300/J013v35n01_01
DO - 10.1300/J013v35n01_01
M3 - Article
C2 - 11942466
AN - SCOPUS:0036205184
SN - 0363-0242
VL - 35
SP - 1
EP - 16
JO - Women and Health
JF - Women and Health
IS - 1
ER -