Factors Affecting the Severity of Urinary Incontinence and the Quality of Life of Women with Urinary Incontinence

Oh, Hyun Soo; Kim, Mi Kyung

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the factors that affect the severity of urinary incontinence and the quality of life of women with urinary incontinence. METHODS: An exploratory correlation research design was applied and the sixty women who responded that they currently experience involuntary urine leakage at least once per week were invited to participate in the study. RESULTS: According to the study results, the factors that significantly contribute to the severity of urinary incontinence were age, number of parity, and number of normal deliveries. Other influencing factors, such as obesity, menopausal state, hysterectomy, and number of episiotomies, were not significant to predict the severity of urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence frequency per week and duration of experiencing urinary incontinence were shown to be factors that significantly affect quality of life. CONCLUSION: In women above 60 years old, multiparity, and multiple experiences of vaginal delivery tended to present a higher level of severity of urinary incontinence. In addition, women with higher frequencies of urinary incontinence per week and a longer duration of urinary incontinence showed a lower level of quality of life.