ABSTRACT
The aim of this study is to determine the proportion of women with the physical sign of stress urinary incontinence in a sample of Ghanaian women. Two hundred randomly selected women from attendants at a convenience selected ultrasound clinic were interviewed about symptoms of urinary incontinence. A paper towel test was performed to objectively demonstrate the physical sign of stress urinary incontinence as leakage on coughing. Forty-two percent of the women had a positive paper towel test. The two major symptoms reported by the women with positive paper towel test were (1) loss of urine while waiting to use the toilet (48.2%) and (2) loss of urine on coughing (43.4%) in daily life. The physical sign of stress urinary incontinence could be present in up to 42% of Ghanaian women.
