Date Presented 03/28/20
UI is a common pelvic floor disorder (PFD) that affects up to 50% of women age 50 years and older and significantly diminishes quality of life. This mixed-methods project collects important information on women’s health literacy, which will contribute to the OT evidence base to inform future education-based health-promotion interventions.
Primary Author and Speaker: Jessica Alden
Additional Authors and Speakers: Lynda Hill
Contributing Authors: Tatiana Sanses, Sharee Pearson, Alice Ukaegbu, Shannon Gopaul
Urinary continence (UI) is a common pelvic floor disorder (PFD) that affects up to 50% of women age 50 years and older and significantly diminishes quality of life.
The number of American women with UI is projected to rise 55% from 2010 to 2050; from 18.3 to 28.4 women expected to be living with UI. Currently, the frontline strategies used to manage UI are medication, surgery, and physical therapy. Due to the increasing number of women who will be living with UI, it is essential to develop evidence based interventions that are designed at the public health level.
PURPOSE: The overall aim of this research study is to describe older adult women’s understanding of the pelvic floor, pelvic floor dysfunction, and UI. Pending the results of this study, the information will be used to inform future health promotion interventions.
DESIGN: This study is part of a larger quantitative randomized controlled trial of a multimodal intervention with women age 65 and older living with urinary incontinence. Women living with UI in greater Washington DC will be recruited for the study. Women will be excluded if they have a pacemaker or demonstrate significant cognitive impairment, or are non-ambulatory.
METHODS: At their initial evaluation, participants will be given a short multiple choice assessment on pelvic floor anatomy, types of UI, and other information pertinent to UI and PFD to establish a baseline of their knowledge. Short semi-structured questions will be used to collect richer information on their perception of UI and how to manage it. Descriptive statistics will be used to assess health literacy questionnaire and a systematic analysis of the short responses will be completed using NVivo.
RESULTS: For this presentation, a summary of preliminary findings from the initial evaluation will be discussed. At present, n=12, although this number is expected to be much higher by April 2020. Early review of data indicate that the women have poor general education and very little knowledge specific to PFD and UI and require a high level of support to understand material. Interestingly, a theme is emerging that one reason women know little about PFD and UI is because they are embarrassed to discuss it.
IMPACT STATEMENT: Women’s health and health promotion are emerging practice areas within the field of occupational therapy. Occupational therapists are uniquely trained to address this multifactorial chronic disease with a holistic perspective and to design health promotion interventions to manage UI symptoms. This research may provide important evidence needed to design effective health promotion interventions.
References
Women overestimate daytime urinary frequency: the importance of the bladder diary. J Urol. 2009 May;181(5):2176-80. doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2009.01.042. Epub 2009 Mar 17. DOI: 10.1016/j.juro.2009.01.042
Overactive bladder: recognition requires vigilance for symptoms. Rosenberg MT, Newman DK, Tallman CT, Page SA. Cleve Clin J Med. 2007 May; 74 Suppl 3:S21-9. DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2010.06.044
