Bladder Symptoms and Attitudes in an Ethnically Diverse Population.

Area of Science:

• Urogynecology
• Public Health
• Women's Health

Background:

• Pelvic floor disorders affect many women.
• Understanding symptom prevalence and attitudes across diverse populations is crucial for equitable care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess pelvic floor symptoms and attitudes in an ethnically diverse population of women.
• To identify potential racial/ethnic disparities in symptom experience and perception.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional survey conducted in community-based gynecology clinics.
• Questionnaire administered to women before their provider visit.
• Inclusion of 312 women: 32.7% white, 50.3% African American, 17.0% Hispanic.

Main Results:

• Nocturia and urinary frequency were the most common symptoms.
• African American women were more likely to report nocturia than white women.
• Hispanic women were less likely to consider post-childbirth urinary leakage normal compared to white women.
• Symptom bother and general attitudes toward urinary function showed little variation by race/ethnicity.
• African American women were more likely to discuss urinary leakage with their doctors.

Conclusions:

• Bladder symptoms and attitudes are largely similar across diverse racial/ethnic groups of reproductive-age women.
• Minor differences in specific symptoms and attitudes warrant further investigation.
• Community-based settings provide valuable insights into real-world symptom prevalence and perceptions.