Explaining Factors Affecting Help-Seeking Behaviors in Women with Urinary Incontinence: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background: Urinary incontinence is widely accepted to be among the most important issues in the global health system. However, only a limited number of women refer for treatment as different factors make help-seeking behaviors more complicated than they initially seem to be. The aim of this study was to explain the factors affecting help-seeking behaviors in women suffering from urinary incontinence.Methods: The present study used a qualitative method, the conventional content analysis approach. The study was conducted between December 2018 and August 2019 in Tehran, Iran. The participants of the study included 34 women with urinary incontinence selected using purposive sampling method. The content analysis approach was based on the Graneheim and Lundman method, and qualitative data management software was used to analyze data. Results: Data analysis illustrates two themes; "nature of facilitator " and " nature of inhibitor "; the categories "not perceiving disease", "shame", " negative support of important others", and "non-optimal health care system" were among the deterrents and the categories "weakening the quality of life" and " positive support of important others" were found to be facilitators.Conclusions: The findings of the present study highlight the need for understanding the underlying facilitators and obstacles to help-seeking behaviors in women with urinary incontinence and suggest that healthcare providers consider an open dialogue with patients taking into account their subjective beliefs and life context during routine visits as to facilitate early diagnosis of the disease and ultimately lead to an improvement in the woman's quality of life.

The effectiveness of eHealth interventions on female pelvic floor dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…According to studies, < 30% of women seek the help of healthcare professionals [ 16 , 17 ]. Previous researchers have revealed that several reasons for women not seeking professional treatment include stigma and embarrassment, the lack of knowledge about PFD, the high cost of treatment, excessive wait times, limited access to health care services, and concerns about perceived consequences, which hinder the implementation of pelvic floor rehabilitation and are detrimental to individual health and quality of life [ 18 , 19 ]. As a result, developing innovative strategies or modalities of pelvic floor management for women with or at risk of PFD is critical.…”