Non-medication coping strategies for urinary incontinence in older adults: factors associated with frequency of use

The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of the use of non-medication coping strategies for urinary incontinence in older adults.

This methodological and cross-sectional study was conducted in 320 older adults. The data of the study were collected using a personal information form and a urinary incontinence questionnaire form regarding the frequency of the use of non-medication coping strategies for urinary incontinence. Within the scope of the validity and reliability study of the questionnaire, Cronbach's alpha, factor analysis tests, KMO, Bartlett's test, and principal components analysis were used. Descriptive statistics, independent t test, ANOVA, and correlation test were also used for data. The statistical accepted significance level was p < 0.05.

The mean age of the participants in the study was 75.54 ± 9.34 years. Older adults who are illiterate, who are single, who have a chronic disease, who are at an advanced age, who are women, who describe having urinary incontinence during activities, who always experience leaking urine, whose diapers or underwear get wet, who share these issues with their relatives, and who do not consult a doctor because they are afraid of being examined were all found to have a higher frequency of use of coping strategies for urinary incontinence (p < 0.05).

This study recommends carrying out studies to raise awareness about urinary incontinence in older adults. In addition, this study suggests that the questionnaire applied to older adults study subjects regarding the frequency of the use of non-medication coping strategies for urinary incontinence might be used for all age groups.