Prevalence of urinary incontinence among Saudi women.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the prevalence of female urinary incontinence (UI) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; to determine associated risk factors; and to identify healthcare-seeking behavior among affected women.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study of women attending Ministry of Health primary healthcare centers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was conducted. Participants completed a questionnaire that evaluated factors associated with UI.

RESULTS

The mean age of the 379 participants was 35 years and the median parity was 4. The overall prevalence of UI was 41.4% (95% CI, 36.6-46.5). Stress UI, urgency UI, and mixed UI were reported by 36.4% (95% CI, 31.7-41.4), 27.4% (95% CI, 23.2-32.1), and 22.2% (95% CI, 18.3-26.6), respectively. Urinary leakage was reported daily by 17.2%, and 25.5% experienced leakage more than once a week. Risk factors for UI included increased age (P<0.001); parity greater than 5 (P<0.001); menopause (P=0.004); and history of vaginal gynecologic surgery, chronic cough, or constipation (P≤0.001). Medical advice was not sought by 85.5% of women with UI. Many of the women with UI reported adverse effects on their daily activities.

CONCLUSION

Female UI is prevalent in Saudi Arabia; however, the majority of women with this condition did not seek medical advice.