The Evaluation of 10 week Urinary Tract Function Promotion Program for the Elderly Women in the Community

Kim, Jeung Im

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study was accomplished to apply and to evaluate the 10-week Urinary tract Function Promotion for the Elderly Women (UFPE), and to suggest guideline and to be utilized on the community level. METHOD: Subjects were 30 persons of 16 healthy elderly and 14 hemiplegic elderly. This UFPE was composed of diagnosis of incontinence & evaluation of physical condition, understanding of urogenital system & urinary incontinence management. UFPE was evaluated by subjective urinary condition, intra-vaginal contraction power, continence self-efficacy (CSE), incontinence stress, geriatric depression. The collected data was analyzed using Wilcoxon Matched Signed-Ranks test by SPSS/WIN program. RESULT: 5 subjects (31.2%) in healthy group and 2 subjects(14.3%) in hemiplegic group have a daytime frequency, 14 subjects(87.5%) in healthy group and 14 subjects(100%) have a nocturia. After program, subjective urinary condition was increased just only healthy elderly (Z=-2.545, p<0.05), while intra-vaginal contraction power and CSE were increased significantly only in the hemiplegic elderly (Z=-2.57, p<0.05; Z=-2.29, p<0.05). There were barriers not to comply program guidance such as inadequate perception of pelvic floor muscle, forget to do exercise, fatigue.
CONCLUSION
UFPE was effective in increasing subjective urinary condition for healthy elderly and in increasing intra-vaginal contraction power and continence self-efficacy for the hemiplegic elderly women. I suggest that this UFPE be utilized at the health center and elderly center, and public health nurse counsel and guide the elderly's work through phone service.