Prevalence, management and impact of urinary incontinence in the workplace
1 Institute for Research on Women and Gender, University of Michigan, G135C Lane Hall, 204 South State Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1290, USA
2 Health Economics, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 900 Ridgebury Road/PO Box 368, Ridgefield, CT 06877, USA
3 Outcomes Research Department, Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA
4 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, 2 BT GH, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
5 Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, 2000 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612, USA
Background The few prior studies of urinary symptoms in the workplace have been small investigations of women in specific occupations (e.g. nursing) or industries (e.g. pottery manufacture). In this study, the aims were to describe the prevalence, management and impact of urinary incontinence for a large cross-section of employed women in the USA.
Methods Five-page questionnaires were mailed to 5130 American households selected from the National Family Opinion survey panel during the spring of 2004. Usable questionnaires were returned by 3364 women in the target age range of 18–60 years.
Results About 37% of the 2326 employed respondents reported urine loss during the last 30 days. The most common strategies for managing incontinence at work included frequent bathroom breaks and wearing pads. The use of urine control methods increased with the severity of urine loss. The effect of incontinence on workplace activities also increased with the severity of urine loss: 88% of employed women with the most severe symptoms reported at least some negative impact on concentration, performance of physical activities, self-confidence or the ability to complete tasks without interruption.
Conclusion Urinary incontinence is prevalent among employed women. Those who experience severe symptoms report that it has a negative effect on aspects of work. Programs on the prevalence and impact of urinary incontinence would help educate both employers and employees, and may lead to the development of better management techniques in the workplace.
Keywords Epidemiology; survey research; urinary incontinence; women's health
Correspondence to: Nancy Fultz, Institute for Research on Women and Gender, University of Michigan, G135C Lane Hall, 204 South State Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1290, USA. Tel: +1 734 615 6432; fax: +1 734 764 9533; e-mail: nfultz{at}umich.edu