The objective was to evaluate the prevalence of dysmenorrhea and determine its effect on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among a group of female university students. This cross-sectional study was conducted between 15 March and 15 April 2009 at Dumlupinar University, Kutahya, Health High School, Western Turkey. The study group included 623 female students. The severity of dysmenorrhea was determined with a 10-point visual analog scale. The Short Form-36 (SF-36) form was used to determinate HRQoL. Chi-square test, Student's t test, and logistic regression and variance analyses (ANOVA) were used for statistical analyses. The average age of the study group was 20.8 ± 1.8 years (range 17–30). Prevalence of dysmenorrhea was found to be 72.7% and was significantly higher in coffee consumers, females with menstrual bleeding duration ≥7 days, and those who had a positive family history of dysmenorrhea when compared to the others (P < 0.05, for each one). By multivariate analysis, coffee consumption (OR 2.084), menstrual bleeding duration ≥7 days (OR 1.590), and positive family history of dysmenorrhea (OR 3.043) were important risk factors for dysmenorrhea. Except for social functioning, role–emotional, and mental health domains, the SF-36 points received from the other domains were higher in females with dysmenorrhea (for each one P < 0.05). With the exception of the scores received from physical functioning and role–emotional domains, the scores received from the other domains of the SF-36 scale showed a decrease with increasing severity of dysmenorrhea (P < 0.05, for each one). Dysmenorrhea is a common health problem, having negative effects on the HRQoL among university female students.

Background/Aims: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a very common and bothersome condition among women, affecting up to 50% of women during their lifetime. Older women are disproportionately affected and often view UI as a normal part of aging, thus precluding contact with medical professionals. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and risk factors of UI in women aged 20 years or older, as well as to examine its effects on women’s quality of life (QOL). Methods: The study was conducted on 1,585 women aged 20 years and over between January and March 2007. Data were obtained by a face-to-face interview, using a questionnaire consisting of questions pertaining to the women’s demographic characteristics, medical and obstetric history and UI. The Short Form-36 (SF-36) scale was used to assess the QOL of the women. Results: The prevalence of UI in this group of women was 49.5%. UI was significantly associated with advanced age (p < 0.05), lower education level (p ≤ 0.001), recurrent urinary tract infection (p < 0.001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p < 0.001), diabetes mellitus (p ≤ 0.001), a history of nocturnal enuresis in childhood (p < 0.001), taking diuretics (p < 0.05) and body mass index (p < 0.001). When the QOL of the women with and without UI were evaluated, the scores for women without UI were higher than those with mild, moderate or severe UI (p < 0.001 for each). Women with UI of varying severity had lower mean domain scores on the SF-36 than women without UI (p < 0.001 for each). As the severity of UI increased, it was seen that the mean domain scores according to the scale showed a decrease (p < 0.001). Conclusion: It is concluded that UI is a common disorder among women in this region of Turkey and that it also negatively affects these women’s QOL, suggesting the need for more social and medical study in this area.

Depression among postmenopausal women is an important public health problem that requires attention; furthermore, women are at risk in terms of depression after entering into menopause.

Aim: To determination of prevalence of Urinary incontinence (UI), and to evaluation of relationship between UI and depression in women. Material and methods: This study is a cross-sectional type research, was realized between 05 July 2011 to 25 August 2011, among 20 and over aged women that living in Beylikova district centre. The study group was occurred 500 women. The presence of UI, its type and severity were evaluated according to criteria recommended by the International Continence Society. For the purpose of the questionnaire form prepared by the study, households were visited one by one, filled with face to face method. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used for evaluation of depression. Chi-square test and Logistic Regression Analyses were used in statistical analyses. For statistical significance, p<0.05 were approved. Results: The ages of women were between 20 to 81 years, and average age was 46.97±15.65 years. Prevalence of UI was found 41.4% (n=207). Of the UI cases were 35.7% stress incontinence, 15.5% urge incontinence, 48.8% mixed type. Of the cases were 95 (45.9%) low severity, 60 (29.0%) middle severity, 52 (25.1%) high severity. In this study, UI was an important risk factor in illiterates (OR: 6.617), no smoking (OR: 1.868), obes (OR: 2.777), persons with anyone chronicle disease that diagnosed by doctor (OR: 4.711), enuresis nocturna hystory in childhood age (OR: 2.600), large baby history in women who had given birth (OR: 1.947), and menopause (OR: 2.497). Prevalence of depression was found 25.4% (n=127). Prevalence of depression was higher found in the women with UI, stress type UI, and high severity UI (for each one; p<0.05). Conclusion: In this study, it was determinate that UI an important health problem in the women, and depression prevalence was higher in the women with UI. [TAF Prev Med Bull 2013; 12(3.000): 231-242