Prevalence, knowledge, and factors associated with urinary incontinence in female students of a physical therapy undergraduate course

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, knowledge, factors associated with urinary incontinence (UI), and quality of life in female students enrolled in a physical therapy undergraduate course. Students had to answer a form we developed, the International Questionnaire on Incontinence Consultation - Short Form (ICIQ-SF), and a knowledge questionnaire on pelvic floor musculature (PFM) and the occurrence of UI, based on a previous knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) study. Out of 248 students, 170 (69%) participated in our study. According to our evaluation form, 111 women (65%) reported urinary loss at some point in their lives. According to ICIQ-SF criteria, 63 (37%) women were incontinent, 41 (65%) suffered from strain urinary incontinence, showing small urinary losses once per week or less, which slightly impacted their quality of life. Most women who have pain during sexual intercourse (59%) and some urogynecological and intestinal symptom, such as straining (92%), intermittent urination (75%), nausea (73%), constipation (53%), excessive effort (53%), and incomplete outlet (70%) also suffered from UI. All women who used pads (100%) and sought medical care (100%) were incontinent. The use of contraceptive was higher among women without UI (84%). Participants built their knowledge on PFM and UI as the course progressed. These results suggest that women who attend undergraduate courses outside physical therapy have limited knowledge about the subject. We find it necessary to spread knowledge about UI and the importance of physical therapy to prevent and treat UI.