TITLE:
Urinary Incontinence among Women in a Resource-Poor Setting: A Study of Urinary Behaviours and Other Predisposing Factors
AUTHORS:
Akintunde O. Fehintola, Emmanuel O. Erinfolami, Akinyosoye D. Ajiboye, Samuel O. Omopariola, Olajide E. Babalola, Zainab F. Abdur-Rahim, Oluwole E. Ayegbusi, Ernest O. Orji
KEYWORDS:
Urinary Incontinence, Toilet Behavior, Women
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.15 No.11,
November
19,
2025
ABSTRACT: Background: Urinary incontinence is a common but poorly reported condition among women, especially in low/middle-income countries. We assess the behavioral and sociodemographic factors associated with urinary incontinence among women in Ilesha, Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2024 to March 2025. A convenient sampling technique was used in recruiting 270 participants. Data were obtained by a facilitated, interviewer-administered questionnaire to collect information from 270 women attending the General Outpatients Department at Wesley Guild Hospital in Ilesha, Nigeria. The data were analysed with version 27 of the International Business Machines (IBM) Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The threshold for statistical significance was established at 5% (0.05). Data were examined using descriptive statistics and Chi-square testing. Results: The prevalence of urinary incontinence was 152 (56.3%), with Mixed Urinary Incontinence being the most prevalent, 75 (49.0%). The mean age in this study was 33.7 ± 3.6 years. More than two-thirds of the respondents, 193 (71.5%), were multiparous. Majority of respondents, 165 (61.2%), exhibited bad urinary behaviours, while 105 (38.8%) women demonstrated good urinary behaviours. Predisposing factors associated with urinary incontinence were older age group (P = 0.044), high parity (P = 0.001), and Bad Urinary behaviour (P = 0.003). Conclusion: The study indicated that more than half of the participants suffered urine incontinence, and a correlation was shown between their urinary behaviours and the incidence of urinary incontinence. Enhancing knowledge of the significance of good urine practices among women in Nigeria will mitigate the issue of urinary incontinence.