Stress urinary incontinence (SUI), which causes involuntarily leakage of urine, has an impact on many women and may affect self-efficacy, which, in turn, can lead to poor health-related quality of life (QOL). This study aimed to explore the effects of sociodemographic and health information, symptom distress, self-efficacy, and positive thinking on the health-related QOL (general QOL and urinary incontinence-specific QOL) of women with SUI.
A cross-sectional study design was used. Women with SUI were recruited from the obstetrics and gynecology outpatient department and urodynamics examination room of a hospital by convenience sampling from August 2021 to March 2022. Participants were surveyed on the following questionnaires: Urogenital Distress Inventory, Geriatric Self-efficacy Index for Urinary Incontinence, Positive Thinking Scale, 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12), and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire Short Form.
Participants (N = 135) had a mean age of 53.76 years old. The mean SF-12 physical component summary score was 48.48 (physical QOL), and the mental component summary score was 46.56 (mental QOL). The urinary incontinence-specific QOL score was 16.01. Women with greater positive thinking and higher self-efficacy for urinary incontinence had better physical and mental QOL. Women with less symptom distress of urinary incontinence and higher self-efficacy for urinary incontinence had better urinary incontinence-specific QOL.
The health-related QOL of women with SUI is affected by many factors, including positive thinking, self-efficacy, and symptom distress. Healthcare professionals can provide multifaceted programs to improve the health-related QOL of women with SUI.
BMC women's health. 2022 Nov 11*** epublish ***
Ching Hui Chien, Xuan Yi Huang, Shu Pen Hsu, Yi Hua Yen, Hun Shan Pan, Feng Chu Yen
College of Nursing, National Taipei University of Nursing and Healh Sciences, No.365, Ming-te Road, Peitou District, Taipei City, 112, Taiwan., Department of Nursing, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan., Physiology Examination Room, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan. ., Department of Nursing, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan.