Prevalance of type of urinary incontinence and their association with types of delivery

Urinary Incontinence (UI) is a condition in which there is uncontrollable leakage of urine causing a social or hygienic problem. Most women with this problem withdraw from social life and try to hide the problem from their families, friends and even their doctors. Globally, urinary incontinence (UI) affects the quality of life of atleast one third of women. Many large studies reporting on the prevalence of incontinence in a specific population do not distinguish between the different types. This forms the study background for the present study.

To find out the prevalence rate of type of urinary incontinence and to find the relationship between the type of delivery and incontinence.

Prospective Survey study design.

The total numbers of females surveyed were 197. Among them 153 (77.7%) were Multigravidae, 37 (18.8%) were Primigravidae and only 7 (3.5%) were nulligravidae.

A door to door survey was undertaken. The 3 Incontinence Questions (3IQ) scale was used to identify the types of incontinence among the female population surveyed. A subjective assessment of severity of urinary incontinence (0 – No incontinence to 10 – severe incontinence) was assessed using Visual Analogue Scale. The quality of life of the female suffering from incontinence was assessed using Patient Incontinence Impact Questionnaire.

Among 197 women surveyed about 41 (20.8%) were found to have incontinence. Among the 41 women with incontinence more than 50% of the women had stress urinary incontinence. 19.5% of the women complained of urge urinary incontinence and 12.2% of them complained of mixed type (both stress and urge). There was a high positive correlation between the severity of incontinence and quality of life with r = 0.962 at P < 0.01 level. There was no statistically significant association between the mode of delivery and the type of incontinence (χ² test, P = 0.093).

Treatment program available for the various types of urinary incontinence among the community and prevention of further complications arising due to the weakness of pelvic floor muscles should be emphasized among the female community. There is a need to raise awareness among health care workers and women themselves so that problems with continence are identified and adequate care could be provided.