Prevalence of Urinary Incontinence and Impact on Quality of Life: Observational Study in a Higher Education Institution

Author(s): Nathalia de Souza Abreu-Freire, Liliana Fajardo Oliveira, Gilselaine Carvalho Landim, Layane Carrero Amaral, Lidyanne Ilidia da Silva

Introduction: Urinary incontinence is more common in women due to anatomical reasons, as well as births and pregnancies, that weaken the perineal muscles, negatively influencing quality of life.

Objective: To identify the prevalence of UI among women in an academic environment and, among incontinents, to assess the impact of incontinence on quality of life.

Materials and methods: Observational and cross-sectional study with a sample of women linked to a higher education institution. For data collection, an online questionnaire was made available to volunteers via Google Forms to be answered anonymously.

Results: 63 women were interviewed with a prevalence of urinary incontinence of 36.5% among respondents. Among incontinents, there was mild incontinence in 78.2% and moderate in 21.7% and negative impact on personal relationships in 47.8% of them.

Conclusion: The results of the present study showed a prevalence of UI equal to 36.5% among women inserted in an academic environment. This percentage can be considered high due to the average age of the sample and the context in which these women are inserted. Regarding the impact of urinary losses on quality of life, almost half of the incontinent sample reported that the losses interfere with personal life. Despite this, they perceived their health status positively.