The Effect of a Workshop on a Urinary Incontinence Self-Management Teaching Program for Community Health Nurses

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of the workshop on the nurses' knowledge about urinary incontinence (UI) self-management, attitudes toward UI, and self-efficacy to plan and implement a UI self-help group program for their clients. Methods: A one-group pretest and posttest design was used to examine changes in knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy following a one-day training workshop. Twenty-seven community health nurses completed a questionnaire before and after the workshop. Before participating in the workshop, the participants were required to take a UI online continuing education program developed by the researchers. During the workshop, the participants took four sessions which consisted of an introduction of a self-help group program, demonstration of a 5-week UI self-management program contents, pelvic floor muscle training and biofeedback practice, and group discussions to plan the implementation in their workplaces. Results: A significant improvement in knowledge of and attitudes toward UI were found (t=3.53, p=.002; t=2.83, p=.009, respectively) after the workshop. Participants also demonstrated improvement in their self-efficacy to plan and operate a UI self-help group program (Z=-2.64, p=.008). Conclusion: The one-day workshop for community health nurses is a feasible strategy to increase their abilities and confidence in operating a UI self-help group program.