Prevalence of urinary incontinence in postpartum

Abstract

Introduction: urinary incontinence as an etiological factor of pelvic floor dysfunctions is an area of growing interest in epidemiological research. Although there are no Chilean figures that provide more information about the reality, important data can be extracted through the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short-Form (ICIQ-SF), about the relationship between urinary incontinence and its immediate appearance in postpartum, objective of this study.
Objective: estimate the prevalence of urinary incontinence in women who had their deliveries in Antofagasta Regional Hospital from March to April, 2016.
Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted involving 115 women with childbirth from March and April 2016 at Antofagasta Regional Hospital, They had ICIQ-SF validated for the Chilean population. The acceptance and response of the questionnaire was voluntary and anonymous. Data were collected from the mother, childbirth and the fetus.
Results: the prevalence of urinary incontinence was 72.1 %, slightly higher among multiparous (75.4 %) and those with vaginal delivery (72.8 %). Women with urinary incontinence had newborns weighing (3486 g) having a larger average size (50.7 cm) than women without incontinence.
Conclusions: postpartum urinary incontinence is greater in multiparous with vaginal deliveries and newborns of larger size and weight. Mixed urinary incontinence was the most frequently and associated with the degree of moderate severity. The number of mean births and height of newborns showed a statistically significant association with urinary incontinence.