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SUFU 2021: Effect of the School Environment on the Presence of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Adolescents

(UroToday.com) This was a cross-sectional, quantitative survey of adolescents to ascertain their perspective on urinary habits during school. The age of these volunteers ranged from 12-17 and they were recruited via ResearchMatch, a national health volunteer registry. A total of 2,627 volunteers received an email request to complete the survey with 39 completing the survey for a response rate of 1.5% (16 males, 23 females, mean age of 16.4 ± 1.7).

Participants were classified based on the presence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) determined by completion of the Dysfunctional Voiding Scoring System (DVSS) for children. All were asked to answer questions specific to voiding habits during the school day. Results are not surprising as 51% of students have difficulty finding time to use the bathroom during breaks, and 36% feel embarrassed using the bathroom during class. 44% of students stated the bathrooms at school did not offer enough privacy. 47% said bathrooms were dirty and not well cleaned. 17 participants (44%) were considered to have LUTS and 22 (56%) were without LUTS. No significant difference was seen in responses between the two groups. Results suggest a need to explore further the specifics behind the barriers discussed in this study.

Presented by: Caroline Schlee, Brian Lin, MD, Kimberly Lumpkins, MD, Rena Malik, MD, Baltimore, Maryland

Written by: Diane K. Newman, DNP, CRNP, FAAN, BCB-PMD, Nurse Practioner and Co-Director, Penn Center for Continence and Pelvic Health Adjunct Professor of Urology in Surgery during the 2021 Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine & Urogenital Reconstruction (SUFU) Winter Meeting.