Factors associated with variations in older people's use of community-based continence services

The fact that a service is available provides no guarantee that those who would benefit from it will actually use it, and that is especially the case for those with stigmatising conditions such as urinary incontinence. This study involved a cross-sectional postal survey of patients aged over 65 who were registered with four general practices in a socially deprived urban area (n=1,376). The overall response rate was 66 per cent. The proportion of the sample reporting urinary leakage was 39 per cent, although only 15 per cent had accessed relevant services. The authors suggest that contacts with the primary care team should be used to explore the issue of urinary incontinence through the use of a validated assessment instrument.