Postpartum urinary incontinence among women attending four postnatal clinics

Abstract

IntroductionUrinary incontinence is a distressing problem after childbirth, but its incidence and risk factors among Sri Lankan women has not been reported.Materials and MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 234 women attending postpartum clinics at two tertiary care units and two Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas in the Colombo district using a validated interviewer administered ICIQ-FLUTS long format questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS software package version 26.0. Significance was taken as p<0.05.ResultsThe prevalence of postpartum urinary incontinence (PPUI) was 5.6% (13 / 234). Nine of them (69.2%) had mixed incontinence while urge incontinence was seen in three (23.1%) and stress incontinence in one (7.7 %). Patients with chronic respiratory symptoms showed a higher prevalence PPUI (p=0.028). However, birth weight of the baby, mode of delivery, episiotomy, maternal age, parity, and obesity did not show an association with higher prevalence of PPUI (p>0.05).ConclusionThe prevalence of PPUI was 5.6%. (95% CI 3.0% - 9.3%). It was more common in mothers who had chronic respiratory diseases. The mode of delivery had no influence on PPUI in our study.