Lower urinary tract symptoms and related factors in Iranian female nurses

Abstract

Background: Lower Urinary Tract Symptom (LUTS) are common among female nurses. High levels of job stress in nurses may be associated with the prevalence of these symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of LUTS and factors related to these symptoms in female nurses. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study in which 460 nurses and nursing assistants participated was conducted. A questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic data, International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire – Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms, and Toileting Behavior – Women's Elimination Behavior Scale was used. Data analysis was performed by descriptive and inferential statistical tests at a significant level of p < 0.05. Results: The highest and lowest scores of LUTS were related to the urgency and nocturnal enuresis with a mean (SD) score of 1.85 (1.03) and 0.05 (0.26), respectively. Concerning toileting behaviors, the highest score was for the place preference for voiding with a mean (SD) score of 4.13 (0.66), which correlated with LUTS. Among controllable variables, years of practice, urinary tract infections, use of perineal pads for urinary leakage, lifting heavy objects at work, and medical history were identified as predictors of LUTS (p < 0.05). Conclusions: LUTS was highly prevalent in the female nurses. The results revealed that unhealthy toileting behaviors may contribute to the prevalence of LUTS. Early identification of these symptoms and the development of an educational intervention program to enhance the knowledge of healthy toileting behaviors may prevent the occurrence of urinary symptoms.

Keywords

• lower urinary tract symptoms
• nurses
• toilet facilities