Self-reported Prevalence of and Knowledge about Urinary Incontinence among Community-Dwelling Israeli Women of Child-Bearing Age

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) among parous women of child-bearing age and compare their level of knowledge regarding UI to those women without the condition. METHODS: A convenience sample of women aged 20 to 50 years who had given birth at least once completed questionnaires regarding (1) demographic information, (2) knowledge of UI (PIKQ-Prolapse and Incontinence Knowledge Quiz and PIKQ+), and (3) prevalence of UI (ICIQ-UI questionnaire-International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence short form). Women who were pregnant or 3 months or less postpartum were excluded from the analysis of the ICIQ-UI. RESULTS: Three hundred twenty-three women, representing 89.7% of those approached, participated in the study. Their mean age was 35.3 ±5.0 years (mean ± SD), all completed the knowledge questionnaire while 260 (80.5%) completed the UI questionnaire. Eighty-three (31.9%) suffered from UI, and most (67.5%) were between 31 and 40 years of age. Participants' level of knowledge about UI was found to be moderate (mean = 7.37 ± 3.6) on the PIKQ+. Knowledge level was correlated with age (P =.017) and with higher levels of education (P <.001). There was a significantly higher level of UI knowledge (PIKQ+ scores) among women with UI (mean = 8.6; SD = 3.01) as compared to those who did not report UI (mean = 7.6; SD =±3.75; P <.001). CONCLUSION: Approximately one-third of parous women aged 20 to 50 years reported UI. Knowledge related to the condition tends to be moderate, increasing with higher age and education.