Psychocultural meanings of urinary incontinence in women: a review

Authors

  • Rosângela Higa Campinas State University
  • Maria Helena Baena de Mores Lopes Campinas State University
  • Egberto Ribeiro Turato Campinas State University; School of Medical Sciences

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-11692008000400020

Keywords:

nursing, women's health, urinary incontinence, review literature, psychosocial impact

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to identify and analyze studies in health literature about the psychocultural meanings reported by women who experience urinary incontinence (UI). A bibliographical search was executed in the following databases: Lilacs, Medline, Pubmed and Medscape. The present review showed that studies note several meanings. The articles were grouped in three categories defined as significant: according to age experiences, cultural-religious experiences and experiences in self-care. The studies revealed that the degree of anguish and the range of the difficulties experienced are related both with age, ethnic group or religion and with the perception each individual has of her incontinence, which will lead to different levels of emotional disorders and to seeking (or not seeking) treatment. Besides, barriers regarding self-care are perceived. It is concluded that the UI may cause suffering and incontinent women have difficulties to deal with this problem.

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Published

2008-08-01

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 4 (2008)

Section

Review Articles

License

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Including names of authors whose contribution does not fit into the above criteria cannot be justified. Those names can be included in the Acknowledgements section.
 Authors are fully responsible for the concepts disseminated in their manuscripts, which do not necessarily reflect the editors’ and editorial board’s opinion.

 

How to Cite

Psychocultural meanings of urinary incontinence in women: a review. (2008). Revista Latino-Americana De Enfermagem, 16(4), 779-786. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-11692008000400020