Urinary incontinence is a major public health problem that affects nearly 9% of the world's population. Numerous studies have defined it, as well as its frequency, contributing factors, means of prevention and therapeutic approaches, but there are very few publications on its social representations. However, the literature raises that a better understanding of the social representations associated with this phenomenon could improve its management. This study focuses on its representations, and more specifically those of Internet users. Its ambition is to bring out some of the representations related to this phenomenon and thus provide initial factual and useful elements for the following research program. We conducted a webometric study and drew on Moliner's social representations theory. Using textual and iconographic data posted on the search engines and social networks most used by Internet users between January 1st, 2015 and October 15th, 2020, this research examined how urinary incontinence is perceived by English- and French-speaking Internet users. For quantitative data analysis, two textometric analysis software packages were used: Lexico® and Iramuteq®. For qualitative data, the analysis was carried out with ATLAS Ti® 9 software. Formerly hidden, urinary incontinence seems to be nowadays less and less a taboo subject and has been arousing growing interest for several years. However, this study also highlights the many preconceived ideas, false beliefs and the obvious lack of knowledge about this phenomenon. It also shows that urinary incontinence should not be trivialized nor the difficulty for the patients concerned to live with it. This study made it possible to understand the representations that a part of the population has on the phenomenon of urinary incontinence. It was the first of a larger research program which aims at improving the care of institutionalized elderly people suffering from urinary incontinence.
Keywords: social representations; urinary incontinence; webometrics.