Level of knowledge of women in gynaecology and obstetrics ward concerning risk factors and treatment for urinary incontinence

Abstract

Introduction and objective The level of knowledge about maintaining or regaining health is a modifiable factor; therefore, it is worth undertaking any actions in order to improve it. The aim of the study was assessment of the level of knowledge of women in the gynaecology and obstetrics ward concerning risk factors and methods of treatment in the case of urinary incontinence. Material and methods The study included 419 women and was carried out by the method of a diagnostic survey, using an author-constructed questionnaire containing closed questions concerning socio-demographic data, sources of knowledge, risk factors of urinary incontinence and the treatment methods applied in the case of urinary incontinence in women. The presence of the relationships between two variables was investigated using chi-square test statistic. In all tests the level of significance was set at 0.05 Results A correlation was observed between the number of sources related to obtaining knowledge about urinary incontinence and the level of knowledge of risk factors of incontinence, p=0.000. When medical staff were the source of knowledge, the level of significance was p=0.009. When family members and friends were the source of knowledge, the level of significance of the relationship between the variables was p=0.034. Conclusions Low level of knowledge about risk factors and treatment of urinary incontinence indicates an insufficient promotion of activities promoting health education concerning this problem. There is a need for continuous education of women in the area of risk factors, treatment, and the selection of such pro-health behaviours that can slow down the development of the disease or prevent its occurrence.

Keywords

• urinary incontinence
• women
• level of knowledge