Stress urinary incontinence among Jordanian women living in rural areas: Prevalence, associated factors and self-management behaviours

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) among Jordanian women aged 35-65 years living in in rural areas and its associated risk factors. Patients and methods: A cross-sectional study utilising a convenience sample of 1000 non-pregnant women who were recruited from healthcare centres and community settings. Participants completed a structured questionnaire that included demographic and gynaecological data, and questions about SUI. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression were used to analyse the data. Results: Overall, 551 women (55.1%) reported having SUI with a duration of 37.9-47.6 months. The mean age of the women was 45.38 years and 29.6% were post-menopausal. Moreover, 40.6% were overweight, 38.9% obese, and 16.9% were smokers. Married women comprised 81.8%; with 37.1% having four to six children and 92.8% had a normal delivery, whereas 28% had a history of caesarean section. Coughing was the major precipitating factor for SUI (87.7%). In addition, 64.8% of women with SUI did not avoid activities that precipitated SUI such as housekeeping and lifting, and 78.6% did not seek any medical care. The major significant correlates for SUI were: high body mass index (odds ratio [OR] 2.506, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.744-3.600, P < 0.001), being aged >50 years (OR 1.716, 95% CI 1.183-2.489, P = 0.004), a history of gynaecological/pelvic surgery (OR 1.631, 95% CI 1.206-2.205, P = 0.001), and vaginal delivery (OR 1.052, 95% CI 1.004-1.101, P = 0.033). Conclusion: SUI prevalence among Jordanian women is high with symptoms reported in more than a half of study participants. Older age, obesity, a history of gynaecological surgery, and history of vaginal delivery were the major correlates of SUI. Public awareness is needed to identify the condition for early diagnosis and treatment of SUI.