Prevalence and risk factors of Urinary Incontinence among adult women in UAE

Abstract

Introduction: UI is a global problem prevalent in different cultures and presents itself as a major medical, social and financial
burden to clients, families and health care systems. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence and different types of UI as
well as to define the risk factors within the UAE adult women.
Methods: In this investigation, a descriptive cross-sectional survey was used with women who were 18 years old and above, who
visited the MOH PHCCs in the UAE. The assessment was conducted through administration of questionnaires which were self
developed and validated through face to face interviews with the researcher. This approach sought to assess the proportion of the
population affected by UI and factors related to it. Furthermore, to assess the effect of UI symptoms, there is a translation of the
Incontinence Questionnaire in Arabic.
Results: Analyzing the results of our studies, the general rate of UI was revealed to be 42,6%. Differentiated by the type of urgency
UI was reported by 31. 2% of participants, MUI – by 29,4%, SUI – by 11,2%. Some of the observed risk factors to UI included age
over fifty years, parity greater than five, post-menopausal status, obesity and hypertension. Of the women surveyed 18. 6% described
the effect that UI had on their QOL as mild while 2. 8% described it as severe. Significantly, only 6. 5% of the respondents consulted
their doctors on their Urinary Incontinence problem.
Conclusion: Hence, urinary incontinence (UI) is a problem of growing concern to women in the UAE. Major risk factors for this
condition are age, multiple births, obesity and hypertension. UI implicates that the majority of affected women do not seek medical
advice. The present investigation will therefore endeavour to inform strategies on early identification and management of UI in the
UAE. Based on the study findings, there is a need to develop a national women’s health program focusing on women with UI and
primary care clinicians.