Authors

Azar Daneshpajooh1 | Ahmad Naghibzadeh‐Tahami2 | Hamid Najafipour3 |Mahboubeh Mirzaei1

Affiliations

Physiology Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

1 Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
2 Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Modeling in Health Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
3 Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Physiology Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

Abstract

Background: Urinary incontinence is a common condition among women. Although it is not a life‐threatening condition, it dramatically influences the quality of life. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of urinary incontinence and its risk factors among Iranian women in Kerman, Iran.
Methods: This cross‐sectional, population‐based study was conducted on 3100 Iranian women aged 15–80 years in 2017 in Kerman, Iran. The participants were selected via cluster sampling and were invited to complete the questionnaires. Their demographic information and medical history were assessed, the urinary incontinence questionnaire was completed, and the associated risk factors were also recorded. Quantitative variables are reported as mean ± SD, while qualitative and ranked variables are expressed in percentage. All analyses were conducted in Stata version 12 (Stata Corp.).

Results: The mean age of the participants was 46 years, and the overall prevalence of urinary incontinence was estimated to be 63%. The highest and lowest prevalence rates of urinary incontinence were reported in the elderly and the youth, respectively (79% and 41%, respectively). Age, increase of body mass index (BMI), pregnancy, diabetes, anxiety, and depression were the associated risk factors.

Conclusion: We found that the prevalence of urinary incontinence is high in Iran. Therefore, to control this condition and improve women’s quality of life, effective plans are needed.

KEYWORDS :Iranian women, prevalence, risk factors, urinary incontinence