PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF URINARY INCONTINENCE IN PERIMENOPAUSAL WOMEN IN A TERTIARY LEVEL HOSPITAL

Abstract

Background: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a prevalent condition with significant physical, psychological, and social impacts on women. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and identify the risk factors associated with UI among perimenopausal women in a tertiary-level hospital. Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and identify the risk factors associated with urinary incontinence among perimenopausal women in a tertiary-level hospital. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh, from 2018 to 2020, involving 100 perimenopausal women aged 42–52 years with irregular cycles or menopausal symptoms. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire on demographics, UI type/severity, and risk factors. UI was categorized as stress, urgency, or mixed, and severity as slight, moderate, severe, or very severe. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0, with descriptive statistics and chi-square test (p < 0.05). Results: In this study of 100 perimenopausal women, 41% had urinary incontinence (UI), with stress UI (23%) being most common. Significant risk factors included age ≥ 45 years (p=0.001), BMI ≥ 25 kg/m² (p<0.001), parity ≥ 1 child (p=0.005), and vaginal delivery (p=0.01). Among UI cases, 51.2% had moderate severity, while 4.9% had very severe UI. Conclusion: This study identifies older age, higher BMI, increased parity, and vaginal delivery as key risk factors for urinary incontinence in perimenopausal women, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to address this prevalent condition.