Women's toileting behaviours: an online survey of female advanced practice providers

An online survey of female advanced practice providers (APPs) in a large urban healthcare system was conducted to describe behaviours they use to manage their personal bladder emptying.

The questionnaire contained items on demographics, presence of urinary incontinence (UI), and behaviours used to void in work, public and home settings.

One hundred thirteen female APPs responded to the survey and 109 responded to items on UI. Over half (53%) reported experiencing UI at least once a week. In general, the APPs reported being worried about the cleanliness of public toilets and delaying voiding when busy. Incontinent APPs were older and had histories of more pregnancies than continent women. Incontinent APPs also used public toilets more frequently and when there was no or little need to void, and delayed or put off voiding while at work and when busy.

Although APPs have specialised knowledge about lower urinary tract anatomy and physiology, many engage in behaviours that may be detrimental to bladder health. More research is needed to explore behaviours women use to manage voiding and the effect of these behaviours on bladder health.