A Study on the Urinary Incontinence, Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms, Lifestyle and Sexual Matters of Women in an Urban Area

도시지역 여성의 요실금, 하부요로증상과 일상 및 성생활과의 관계

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the frequency of urinary incontinence and lower urinary symptoms, to identify lifestyle and sexual matters for UI of adult women in an urban area. Method: The sample consisted of 364 educated women from a women's health education program in a public health center. For data collection, the Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Questionnaire developed by Jackson, et. al.(1996) and the demographic questionnaire were used. For data analysis, SAS 8.2 program was used. Result: The results were as follows: 1. the prevalence rate of UI was 73.63%. 45.88% of them were stress incontinence and 27.75% of them were urge incontinence. 2. Remarkable differences were found between the type of UI and LUTS in the case of urgency($x^2=42.0585$, P<0.001), unexplained incontinence($x^2=59.0585$, P<0.001), noctural incontinence($x^2=18.8080$, P<0.001) and catetherization($x^2=10.7207$, P= 0.004), burning sense($x^2=27.7400$, P<0.001). 3. Remarkable differences were found between the type of UI and lifestyle matters in the cases as follows fluid intake restriction($x^2=31.0532$, P=0.008), interference in physical activity($x^2=36.7481$, P=0.001), interference in relation with others($x^2=22.2729$, P=0.034). 4. Remarkable differences were found between the type of UI and sexual matters with difficulty of sexual intercourse($x^2=16.1898$, P=0.002), and urine leakage during sexual intercourse($x^2=17.9752$, P=0.001). Conclusion: Based on the results, developing and carrying out an adequate UI care and education program is needed.