Prevalence of urinary incontinence among women in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2023 Jul;27(13):6040-6045. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_202307_32958.

Abstract

Objective: Urinary incontinence is defined as involuntary loss of urine, a common health condition that is more frequent in women. It disturbs the affected individuals and interferes with their daily activities. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of urinary incontinence among Saudi women in the western area of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Subjects and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used for this study. A survey was administered to Saudi women in the western area of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ranging in age from 18 to 70 years. The data were collected using the Arabic version of the Questionnaire for Urinary Incontinence Diagnosis. Descriptive statistics were generated by calculating numbers and percentages of information on the prevalence of incontinence in women. p-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results: The prevalence of urinary incontinence was 44.2%, with the urge type being the most reported. Stress urinary incontinence was reported by 155 women (15.4%), urgency urinary incontinence by 257 women (25.6%), and mixed urinary incontinence by 102 women (10.15%).

Conclusions: Urinary incontinence is prevalent in women in Western Saudi Arabia. Age, multiparty obesity, and vaginal surgery are significant risk factors influencing its occurrence.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Saudi Arabia / epidemiology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Urinary Incontinence* / epidemiology
  • Urinary Incontinence, Stress* / epidemiology
  • Urinary Incontinence, Urge / epidemiology
  • Young Adult