Prevalence of Urinary Incontinence and Overactive Bladder Among Female University Students in Kazakhstan.

BACKGROUND/

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this research is to study the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) and overactive bladder (OAB) among female university students in Kazakhstan and to analyze the risk factors associated with these conditions.

METHODS

A total of 574 female university students aged 18 to 40 years participated in this cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study. Self-completed questionnaires including the International Consultation on Urinary Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form (ICIQ-UI-SF), the V8 Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-V8), and data on demographic and general characteristics of the participants were collected. The frequency, type, and severity of UI, as well as factors associated with these conditions were analyzed.

RESULTS

The median age of the participants was 22.00 years (IQR 19.00-24.00). The prevalence of UI among female students was 27.5% (n = 158). The mean ICIQ-SF questionnaire score was 1.00 (IQR 1.00-2.00), while the OAB-V8 questionnaire score was 2.00 (IQR 0.00-4.00). In addition, 10.1% of the respondents reported having OAB. The analysis showed that factors such as childbirth and physical activity level were associated with the presence of UI. In addition, childbirth, the presence of chronic diseases, and physical activity level were associated with OAB. The probability of UI increased by 2.3 times for women who gave birth (OR 2.30, 95% CI 1.16-4.54). The likelihood of developing OAB rose by 3.3 times for women who gave birth (OR 3.36, 95% CI 1.76-6.42). The presence of chronic diseases was associated with a 2.7-fold increase in the probability of developing OAB (OR 2.74, 95% CI 1.51-4.96).

CONCLUSIONS

This study found that UI and OAB are common problems among female university students in Kazakhstan. The risk factors identified as childbirth and physical activity level emphasize the need to raise awareness of these conditions and their impact on quality of life. The results of the study can serve as a basis for the development of targeted prevention programs and support strategies for young women.