Prevalence of Urinary Incontinence in Different Age Groups of Women

Background: Urinary incontinence (UI) is the accidental leakage of urine, a condition most prevalent among women, often exacerbated by activities that increase intra-abdominal pressure such as coughing, sneezing, or lifting heavy objects. UI significantly impacts quality of life, particularly in older women, due to factors like postmenopausal changes, pelvic trauma, and age-related physiological changes. Objective: The primary objective of this study was to observe the prevalence of urinary incontinence among women in different age groups. The secondary objective was to determine the correlation between UI and various demographic and physical factors. Methods: This observational study was conducted over six months in hospitals located in Sahiwal, Pakistan. A sample size of 377 women, aged 22-65 years, was selected using a non-probability convenient sampling technique. Inclusion criteria included non-pregnant women experiencing unwanted urinary leakage due to physical exertion. Exclusion criteria included women with diabetes, those who had undergone surgery for incontinence, and those with neurological conditions. The Modified International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF) was used to evaluate UI. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0, employing Chi-square tests to assess relationships between variables with a significance level set at 0.05. Results: The study found that 83.3% of the women experienced urinary leakage. The prevalence of UI was highest among women aged 55-65 years (54.32%). Leakage frequency was reported as follows: 29.44% experienced leakage once a week or less, 17.78% two to three times a week, 4.51% once a day, 13.00% several times a day, and 4.24% all the time. Severity of leakage was reported as 16.71% no leakage, 49.34% a small amount, 22.02% a moderate amount, and 11.94% a large amount. There was no significant difference in UI frequency across BMI categories (P > 0.05) or between types of delivery (SVD vs. C-section, P > 0.05). Conclusion: The study concluded that urinary incontinence is highly prevalent among women, particularly in the older age group of 55-65 years. There is a significant correlation between age and UI, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions and routine screenings to manage and mitigate the impact of UI.