The study assessed the prevalence and determinants of non-fistulous urinary incontinence among gynaecologic care seekers as well as its interference with everyday life activities of affected women. A cross-sectional study involving 400 women was conducted in a tertiary facility in Ghana. Urinary incontinence was assessed using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-short form (ICIQ-SF) which has not been validated locally. The questionnaire was administered mostly in the Asante Twi language with translation done at the time of the interview. The data was analysed for proportions and associations between selected variables. The prevalence of urinary incontinence was 12%, the common types being urgency (33.3%), stress (22.9%), and mixed (20.8%). Age ≥60 years compared to 18-39 years (OR 3.66 95%CI 1.48-9.00 P = 0.005), and a history of chronic cough (OR 3.80 95% CI 1.36-10.58 P = 0.01) were associated with urinary incontinence. Women with education beyond the basic level were 72% less likely to experience urinary incontinence (OR 0.28 95%CI 0.08-0.96 P = 0.04). Urinary incontinence interferes with everyday life activities of most affected women. Non-fistulous urinary incontinence is relatively common among gynaecologic care seekers yet very few women were referred with such a diagnosis. Advocacy measures aimed at urging affected women to report the condition and educating the general population on potential causes, prevention and treatment are needed.
PloS one. 2020 Aug 18*** epublish ***
Anthony Amanfo Ofori, Joseph Osarfo, Evans Kofi Agbeno, Wisdom Klutse Azanu, Henry Sakyi Opare-Addo
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana., Effiduase District Hospital, Ghana Health Service, Ashanti Region, Ghana., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Health and Allied Science, Ho, Ghana., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.