The prevalence, types, and risk factors of urinary incontinence among Bangladeshi women aged 15–49: A study based on a nationally representative survey

Abstract

Objective

To estimate the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI), its subtypes, and the associated risk factors in women of reproductive age in Bangladesh.

Methods

Data from the 2016 Bangladesh Maternal Mortality and Health Care Survey was analyzed in a nationally representative sample of 298 284 households that used a multistage sample selection procedure. Data on 183 560 ever-married women aged 15–49 years who had ever given birth were analyzed. Descriptive statistics was used to report the overall prevalence of any UI and its three subtypes: stress, urge, and mixed UI. The wealth index of each household was constructed using principal component analysis. Univariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the factors associated with each type of UI.

Results

The prevalence of any UI was 15.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]:15.7–16.1). Stress incontinence was the most prevalent UI (8.3%, 95% CI: 8.2–8.4), followed by mixed type (5.5%, 95% CI: 5.4–5.6), and urge incontinence (2.1%, 95% CI: 2.1–2.2). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, older age, no or less education, younger age at first birth, higher parity, lower wealth status, self-reported pelvic organ prolapse (POP), and being Muslim had a significant positive association with the presence of UI.

Conclusions

About one in six women reported to have suffered from any type of UI in this study. Several common risk factors were found, which call for targeted policy and programmatic interventions.