Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of urinary incontinence and its relating factors elderly communities. Subjects of this survey consisted of 877 elderly women and men in one Kun. Korea, who were over 60 years old. The design for this study was descriptive: the subjects were interviewed by well trained investigators from July 9. 1999 to July 20. 1999. During that survey period, the subjects were interviewed with a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed by frequency, percentage, chi2-test. T-test using an SAS program. The results of the study were the following: 1. The prevalence rate of urinary incontinence was 20.1%. of the total. The types of urinary incontinence were mixed incontinence 44.3%. stress incontinence 38.1%. and urge type incontinence 17.6%. 2. The relating factors of urinary incontinence were as follows: 1) 33.5% of UI(urinary incontinence) subjects reported urine loss once a month. twice or three times a week 23.3%. one or two times a day 17.0% 2) 38.1% of elderly reported only 1 to 2 drops. 1 t-spoon 36.9%. 1 T-spoon 15.9% 3) The volume of urine loss registered by changing underwear was 63.1 %. no necessity of changing underwear was 22.1 %. or using some type of pads was 13.1%. 4) 62.5% of UI subjects never discussed their UI problem with other people. 73.9% of the total had never experienced any treatment for their UI problem. The reasons for not receiving medical cure were their typical conception about urinary incontinence taking UI as a normal part of aging 76.2% and due to their bad financial situation 9.2%. 3. Women had more prevalence of UI than men (p=0.01), and it was found that the worse the subjective health state. the higher the prevalence of UI (p=0.001). However. there was no statistical difference in daily frequency of UI (p>0.05). The more nocturnal incontinence (p=0.001), the more intermittent stream experience (p=0.01), the more retention experience (p=0.01), and the more incomplete the emptying experience (p=0.001), the higher the prevalence of UI. 4. UI groups had lower ADL scores than non UI groups(p=0.01). The level of depression in the group of urinary incontinence was significantly higher than that of non incontinence group (p=0.0001). As shown above, the elderly people suffering from UI haven't been treated properly: their subjective health state and their ADL competence was lower, and their depression level was higher than non UI groups. Therefore, the development of a proper urinary incontinence management program are required so that they can lead more healthy lives. Also continual case studies for the elderly people with UI are necessary.