Help‐seeking among Korean American women with urinary incontinence

Abstract

Background: Despite the availability of effective treatments, many women manage their urinary incontinence (UI) silently rather than seeking professional help. Delays in seeking help in effectively managing UI can lead to a worsening of the incontinence and in overall quality of life. Aims: The aim of this study was to explore the help‐seeking behaviour (HSB) among Korean American women with UI. The following research question guied this study: is there any difference in HSB for UI according to severity of UI among Korean American woment with UI?. Methods: 149 community‐dwelling Korean American women who are age 30 years and older and self‐identified as being incontinent were invited to particpate in the study. Data collection was conducted in 12 Korean religious organizations. This study uses a correlation descriptive design by means of interviews. The HSB scale was used to measure the propensity ot help‐seeking. Results: This study showed that the propensity of seeking help among Korean American women was lower than that of general population. It indicated that Korean women cope urinary symptoms nonmedical measures rather seeking professional help. The severity of UI is associated with help‐seeking among Korean American women with UI. Conclusions: Health care providers need to be aware of low rates of seeking care among Korean women for this problem, and the need for further education in this area.

Predicting help‐seeking intention of women with urinary incontinence in Jinan, China: a theory of planned behaviour model

“…Self‐coping strategies are usually the first actions women take to manage UI. It may be that if a woman has strong perceived self‐efficacy of dealing with the symptoms of UI, she is more likely to use self‐coping strategies rather than consult healthcare providers (Kang & Kim ). This strategy, while on the surface seems to be a positive action, could actually worsen UI by preventing adequate assessment and appropriate treatment (Rizk et al .…”

“…, Diokno et al . ), and the effectiveness of these strategies to conceal wetness may influence incontinent women's help‐seeking intention (Kang & Kim ).…”

“…Studies focusing on UI from other countries explored factors that might be related to the low help-seeking rates including attitudes towards UI, embarrassment and shame for being incontinent, stigma and self-coping strategies (Kang & Kim 2009). One study showed that many incontinent women viewed UI as a normal part of ageing (O'Donnell et al 2005, Koch 2006).…”

“…limiting social or physical activities) or containing strategies (e.g. wearing pads, diapers or dark clothing) (Palmer & Fitzgerald 2002, H€ agglund et al 2003, Diokno et al 2004, and the effectiveness of these strategies to conceal wetness may influence incontinent women's helpseeking intention (Kang & Kim 2009).…”

Type of Multimorbidity and Patient-Centered Care Among Elderly Medicare Beneficiaries

“…Existing research has investigated the PSC among older adults with a single chronic condition such as depression, myocardial infarction, stroke, or urinary incontinence (Ho, Rumsfeld, Lyons, Every, & Magid, 2002; Howard et al, 2008; Kang, 2007; Li, Cai, Glance, & Mukamel, 2007; McKinley, Moser, & Dracup, 2000; Ricci et al, 2001; Sarkisian, Lee-Henderson, & Mangione, 2003). Elderly with depression or other psychological illness have been found to have negative attitudes towards mental illness (Segal, Coolidge, Mincic, & O’riley, 2005) and a low PSC (Garrido et al, 2011; Mojtabai, 2010; Phillips & Murrell, 1994).…”