141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

292921
Eeducational and behavioral modification programs for urinary incontinence among older women: A systematic review

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Rhea Olegario, SRAS , Epidemiology and Community Health, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY
Chia-Ching Chen, EdD, MA, MS, CHES, SRAS , Department of Epidemiology & Community Health, New York Medical College School of Health Sciences & Practice, Valhalla, NY
Background: Often an unrecognized medical problem, urinary incontinence (UI), which affects many older women, can reduce overall quality of life (QoL). Few research focus solely on the comprehensive primary preventive methods of education/awareness and behavioral/lifestyle modification (monitoring, exercises, and lifestyle changes) of stress, urge, and mixed UI—the most common forms of UI among older women (middle-aged [45-64 years] and elderly [65+]).

Objective: The purposes of this review are to (1) analyze primary preventive approaches to UI among older women, (2) identify the efficacy of such evidenced-based interventions, and (3) highlight the needs in establishing recommendations for UI prevention to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

Method: The search was conducted using keywords (e.g., urinary incontinence) on English-only articles from 1973 to January 2013 using PubMed and CINAHL databases. Articles were selected using inclusion criteria (e.g., primary preventive methods, types of UI, age, gender).

Result: The search yielded 7331 articles of which 20 were deemed relevant. Educational methods of informational packets and multimedia courses (n=3) increased knowledge and help-seeking behavior. Most of the behavioral/lifestyle methods (n=17) of monitoring, bladder training, exercises (pelvic floor muscle exercises), and lifestyle changes as weight loss reported some reduction of UI episodes and improved QoL.

Conclusion: UI is a major issue that many older women face, yet it is often left unaddressed, which only worsens the condition. Public health policies and research should be aimed at creating UI awareness and treatments should immediately address UI through primary preventive approaches before more invasive methods.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Chronic disease management and prevention
Public health or related education
Public health or related public policy
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Assess the efficacy of educational and behavior modification programs on stress, urge, and mixed UI among older women Identify potential future directions on research and health policy related to UI among older women

Keywords: Aging, Women

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am involved in the study.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.