Prevalence and severity of urinary incontinence and associated factors in Iranian postmenopausal women: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Urinary incontinence (UI) is one of the most common symptoms during menopause, leading to a decreased quality of life and limited social activities. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and severity of urinary incontinence and associated risk factors in postmenopausal women. METHODS: It was a cross-sectional study using cluster sampling on 433 postmenopausal women in Tabriz-Iran, 2021-2022. Data were collected using questionnaires of socio-demographic characteristics, Questionnaire for Urinary Incontinence Diagnosis (QUID), and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UISF). Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine factors related to urinary incontinence. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of urinary incontinence was 39.5%; 20.6% stress urinary incontinence (SUI), 10.4% urgency urinary incontinence (UUI), and 8.5% mixed urinary incontinence (MUI). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the prevalence of SUI (aOR 0.38; 95% CI 0.18-0.77) and UUI (aOR 0.38; 95% CI 0.15-0.94) was significantly lower in women with three childbirths than the ones with fewer childbirths. Also, the odds of UUI increased significantly in women at the 50-55 age range (aOR 3.88; 95% CI 1.16-12.93) than those less than 50 years. CONCLUSION: Due to the high prevalence of urinary incontinence in postmenopausal women, caregivers should screen for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of urinary incontinence to prevent its destructive impact on the quality of life.

The relationship between urinary incontinence with sexual function and quality of life in postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND: Urinary incontinence has a significant impact on the psychosocial well-being of postmenopausal women. This study aimed to determine the relationship between urinary incontinence with sexual function and quality of life. METHOD: It was a cross-sectional study using cluster sampling on 433 postmenopausal women in Tabriz-Iran, 2021-2022. Data were collected using questionnaires of socio-demographic and obstetrics characteristics, female sexual function index (FSFI), Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL), and Urinary Incontinence Diagnosis (UIDQ). Independent sample t-test and general linear model (GLM) were used to compare the quality of life and sexual function score between the two groups of women with and without stress, urgency, and mixed urinary incontinence. RESULTS: Independent sample t-test showed a significant difference in the quality of life and sexual function between women with and without stress, urgency, and mixed urinary incontinence (p < 0.05). Based on the GLM with adjusting the socio-demographic and obstetrics characteristics, women without stress incontinence reported a lower mean score of MENQOL (B = - 23.38; 95% CI = -30.1 to -16.6; p < 0.001) and a higher mean score of sexual function (B = 4.5; 95% CI = 2.1-7.0; p < 0.001) compared to women with stress incontinence; a lower MENQOL score and a higher sexual function score indicate better condition. However, there was no significant relationship between urgency and mixed incontinence with quality of life and sexual function (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: As urinary incontinence remarkably affects sexual function and quality of life of postmenopausal women, health care providers should consider better solutions for this issue in their work program.

Effect of Nigella sativa L. seed oil on urinary incontinence and quality of life in menopausal women: A triple-blind randomized controlled trial.

Increased urinary incontinence is one of the most common changes during menopause. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Nigella sativa L. seed oil on urinary incontinence and quality of life (QoL) (primary outcomes) and sexual function (secondary outcome) in menopausal women. In this triple-blind randomized controlled trial, 60 women in Tabriz-Iran were equally allocated into two treatment and control groups using block randomization. The women applied 2-3 drops of Nigella sativa L. seed oil or placebo on their stomachs below the novel twice a day for 8 weeks. The data collection instruments were completed at baseline and just after the intervention. After intervention, the mean rank score of mixed urinary incontinence was significantly lower (p = .04) and the mean score of the incontinence-QoL was significantly higher (mean difference 12.63, 95% CI 2.33 to 22.93; p = .017) in the treatment group than the control group. However, there were no significant differences in stress incontinence, urge incontinence, sexual function, and menopause-specific QoL of women between the groups (p > .05). The results indicated the positive effect of the Nigella sativa L. seed oil on mixed incontinence and incontinence-QoL; nevertheless, to make a certain conclusion, further studies are required.

Correlates of waterpipe smoking among Iranian university students and the role of religiosity.

Waterpipe smoking among youth and adolescents in Iran has gained in popularity. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between waterpipe smoking and different dimensions of religiosity in a sample of students attending two major universities in South East Iran. A total of 682 students completed a waterpipe and cigarette smoking questionnaire along with the Duke University Religion Index. The lifetime prevalence of dual cigarette and waterpipe use was 48.3%, with prevalence of current use (within the last 30 days) of 24.9%. The proportions of lifetime and current waterpipe-only users were 27.0% and 18.8%, respectively. Students who participated more often in private religious activities were less likely to report engaging in waterpipe smoking (odds ratio: 0.82; 95% confidence interval: 0.71-0.98). A higher level of attendance of religious services was negatively associated with dual cigarette and waterpipe smoking (odds ratio: 0.71; 95% confidence interval: 0.54-0.93). Waterpipe-only use was significantly higher among males, students who had lower grade point averages, those who reported having a close friend or a family member who was a waterpipe smoker. To conclude, it is possible that religious observance may have a protective role in lowering waterpipe usage among Iranian university students.