Prevalence and risk factors of urinary incontinence among women in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background Patients of urinary incontinence (UI), defined as an involuntary leakage of urine, mostly suffer in silence. African women with the condition usually feel embarrassed and may not readily seek help. In spite of this, there appears to be no recent systematic review that quantifies the prevalence and risk factors of UI. This study, therefore, synthesizes all studies that report the prevalence of UI and risk factors across African countries.Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted and reported in accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Comprehensive search of Google Scholar, Hinari, African Journals Online (AJOL) and PubMed databases was conducted on July 24, 2020. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist for Prevalence Studies was used to assess the risk of bias. Summary measure was the prevalent percentage of women with UI, with 95% confidence intervals.Results Prevalence of urinary incontinence ranged from 0.61% (CI 0.9, 1.03) in Sierra Leone to 39% (CI 33.59–44.41) in Tanzania. The prevalence reported among women with gynaecological issues were between 20.2% (95% CI 16–24) and 39% (95% CI 34–44). Ten of the 14 studies reported on the risk factors of UI. The risk factors include multiparity, advanced gestational periods, mode of delivery, pregnancy related constipation, having an underlying respiratory condition during pregnancy, and having a high body mass index (BMI) or being overweight.Conclusion The study has revealed the discrepancy reported by various UI prevalence studies in Africa. Risk factors of UI including mode of delivery and age of women at latest delivery should be explored in further research. Enhancing treatment opportunities for UI among women will help to improve the lives of women living with UI.

Research on Dynamic Urine Volume Detection System Based on Smart Flexible Textile Sensors

“…Urinary incontinence refers to the condition where an individual cannot control the excretion of urine, leading to unintentional leakage [1,2] . Population-based studies have indicated that urinary incontinence is more prevalent in females than males, with approximately 10% of adult females suffering from urinary incontinence [3,4] .…”