Explaining factors affecting help-seeking behaviors in women with urinary incontinence: a qualitative study

Abstract

Background Urinary incontinence is widely accepted to be among the most important issues in the global health system. However, only a limited number of women are referred for treatment because different factors complicate help-seeking behaviors. The aim of this study was to explain the factors affecting help-seeking behaviors in women suffering from urinary incontinence. Methods This study was a qualitative study using the conventional content analysis approach. The study was conducted from December 2018 and August 2019 in Tehran, Iran. The participants were 34 women with urinary incontinence selected using a purposive sampling method. The content analysis approach was based on the Graneheim and Lundman method, and qualitative data management software was used for analysis. Results Data analysis illustrates two themes; “ facilitator “ and “ inhibitor “; the categories “not perceiving disease”, “shame”, “ negative support of important others”, and “non-optimal health care system” were among the inhibitors and the categories “ reduced quality of life “ and “ positive support of important others” were found to be facilitators of help-seeking behaviors. Conclusions The findings of the present study highlight the need for understanding the underlying facilitators and inhibitors of help-seeking behaviors in women with urinary incontinence. We suggest that healthcare providers consider an open dialogue with patients and consider their subjective beliefs and life context during routine visits to facilitate early diagnosis of the disease and ultimately lead to an improvement in the woman’s quality of life.

“The constant worry”: Urinary incontinence self‐management in rural women: A qualitative study

“…Club membership was a proxy for normalization. Rashidi Fakari et al (2021) reported women were hesitant to seek care because of a family member's negative experience with surgical treatment for UI. The influence of familial information‐sharing also set the precedent for these rural women, as they felt responsible for preparing younger women for this exclusive club.…”

“…Despite the existence of clinical guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG, 2015) for UI treatment, UI remains underreported and undertreated (Goforth & Langaker, 2016). Women with UI often express feelings of shame and/or embarrassment due to UI, which can be a barrier to disclosing UI to a provider (Rashidi Fakari et al, 2021). Further, when UI is reported to a provider, many do not receive appropriate treatment options.…”

The impact of diabetes on overactive bladder presentations and associations with health-seeking behavior in China, South Korea, and Taiwan: Results from a cross-sectional, population-based study

“…36 On the other hand, the symptom of nocturia had been reported as the most bothersome symptom among adults aged 65 years and older. 37 Fakari et al 38 suggested that caregivers should try to understand the underlying facilitators and inhibitors of treatment-seeking behaviors, when attempting to improve the quality of life in LUTS patients, such as using the non-invasive treatment. 39 Our study has several limitations.…”

Seeking consultation for urinary incontinence: Behaviours and barriers among Jordanian women

“…Various studies across the world confirmed the low rates of seeking consultations 6–9 and revealed various barriers against seeking healthcare including embarrassment, 7,10 feeling ashamed, 9 being too busy, 7 worries that they may waste the doctor's time, 7 the belief that it is a transient problem, 8 negative support from important people in a woman's life, nonoptimal healthcare 9 and considering UI as normal with ageing 10 . Additionally, the duration and severity were associated with healthcare‐seeking behaviour 6,8 .…”