ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to determine the prevalence and risk factors of urinary incontinence in women aged 30 to 70 years, who were attending to a gynecologic hospital. During 2006, married women [aged 30-70 years] attending to a teaching gynecological hospital were assessed during their visits for any gynecologic diseases. We used a questionnaire with interview for collecting data. The potential risk factors were measured; i.e., the demographics, menopausal status, urinary symptoms [frequency, nocturia and urgency], urinary incontinence, [urgency, stress and mixed], body mass index, medical history [type of delivery, parity, gravidity, chronic illnesses, medication use, pelvic surgery and seeking medical care for their problem]. The mean age was 46.5 [ +/- 8.4] years. The mean parity was 5.1 +/- 1.5. 27% of the participants reported urinary incontinence. Out of 111 women with urinary incontinence, 77 [18.7%, CI: 14.7-22.7%], 17 [4.1%, CI: 2.2-5.8%] and 17 [4.1%, CI: 2.2-5.8%] were classified as having stress, urge and mixed urinary incontinence, respectively. The overall prevalence of urinary incontinence was 18.9% [34 subjects] in women aged 30-44 years, 30.9% [46 subjects] in those aged 45-54 years and 37.8% [31 subjects] in those aged 55 years and older. Out of 117 menopause women, 39 [33.3%] were incontinent. On average, women reported 4.4 [ +/- 1.06] diurnal and 0.55 [ +/- 0.66] nocturnal voidings in 24 hours. Diurnal and nocturnal frequencies were different between continent and incontinent women. The high parity, excessive birth weight, pelvic trauma, constipation, chronic illnesses [specially diabetes] and gynecologic and other pelvic surgeries were known as risk factors for urinary incontinence. There was a significant association between urinary incontinence and high parity, excessive birth weight, pelvic trauma, constipation, chronic illnesses [specially diabetes], and gynecologic and other pelvic surgeries