Toileting behaviours and lower urinary tract symptoms among female nurses: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey

Stressors and bathroom behaviors associated with urinary incontinence in nurses working during the COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed-methods study

An inability to take breaks contributed to premature and delayed voiding with a high prevalence of stress and urge incontinence. Nurse leaders can implement policies to promote healthy toileting behaviors.

Analysis on fluid intake and urination behaviors among the elderly in five cities in China: a cross-sectional study

Background

Fluid intake in the elderly may influence urination behaviors and further influence their health status. This study investigated the behaviors of fluid intake, urination and their relationships among the elderly in China.

Methods

Stratified random sampling was used to recruit the elderly participants who met the inclusion criteria from five cities in China. Participants' total fluid intake (TFI) level was investigated using a validated 7-day 24 h fluid intake questionnaire. Their urination behaviors in real time were also recorded using a validated 7-day 24 h urination behavior record.

Results

A total of 524 participants completed the study, including 233 males and 291 females. The average age was 69.7 years. The median daily TFI was 1,241 mL, with a frequency of 8.1 times per day. Approximately 73.3% of the participants did not reach the amount of adequate fluid intake (1.7 L for males and 1.5 L for females) recommended in China. Fluid intake in the morning, afternoon, and evening among participants was 594 mL, 305 mL and 342 mL, with a frequency of 3.0 times, 1.7 times, and 2.0 times, respectively. The median urination frequency was 7.4 times per day. The percentage of participants who urinated >7 times during the day was 44.3%. The percentage of participants who urinated ≥1 time at night was 77.5%. Age and BMI were not the main influence factors for fluid intake and urination behaviors. The preliminary analysis showed that higher TFI, plain water intake, dairy products intake, and fluid intake frequency were significantly associated with higher urination frequency (t = 6.553, p < 0.05; t = 5.291, p < 0.05; t = 4.667, p < 0.05; t = 13.413, p < 0.05). Higher fluid intake per time was significantly associated with lower urination frequency (t = -3.562, p < 0.05). Correlations between TFI, fluid intake frequency, fluid intake in night, fluid intake frequency in night and urination at night were also found (r = 0.114, p < 0.05; r = 0.091, p < 0.05; r = 0.146, p < 0.05; r = 0.331, p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Fluid intake was inadequate in terms of the elderly participants. Participants with higher fluid intake and frequency in night had a greater incidence of nocturia. Thus, correcting fluid intake behaviors can improve urination behavior and promote health.

Clinical trial registration

https://www.chictr.org.cn/searchprojEN.html, identifier CTR1900023355.

Sex differences in lower urinary tract symptoms of Korean workers: Prevalence, mental health, and associated factors

Objectives

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in workers can aggravate mental health, lower quality of life, and decrease work productivity. We aimed to examine the prevalence of LUTS, sex-related differences in LUTS, mental health of workers with LUTS, and factors associated with LUTS in Korean workers.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 192 workers from D city and the Gyeongbuk province of South Korea. LUTS were measured using self-reported questionnaires, and mental health was assessed for anxiety, depression, and perceived stress. Differences in characteristics between workers with and without LUTS were analyzed using the chi-square test or independent t-test. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with LUTS.

Results

Urinary urgency (UU) was significantly more prevalent in men than in women; however, stress urinary incontinence (SUI) was more prevalent in women than in men. The average anxiety and perceived stress scores were significantly higher in men with UU than in men without UU. Men with hypertension or nocturia were more likely to have UU than those without hypertension or nocturia. The anxiety scores significantly increased the odds of UU in men. Advanced age significantly increased the odds of SUI in women. Blue-collar female workers were more likely to develop SUI than their white-collar counterparts.

Conclusions

Our study highlighted the prevalence and burden of LUTS among workers. Occupational health providers need to regularly assess workers' bladder storage problems and provide manageable interventions for UU in men and SUI in women.

Lower urinary tract symptoms and toileting behaviors in Turkish adult women

This study aimed to investigate lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in Turkish adult women and to compare toileting behaviors in women with and without LUTS. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 815 women. The International Consultation on Incontinence Modular Questionnaire - Female LUTS and a toileting behaviors form, created by the authors, were used in evaluations. Nearly 50 % of the women had at least one LUTS, 45.8 % had storage symptoms, 7.4 % had voiding symptoms, and 20.2 % had incontinence symptoms. The rates of premature urination, straining during urination, delayed urination, and sitting on the toilet while urinating were higher in women with LUTS than in women without LUTS (p < .05). The rate of squatting on the toilet while urinating was lower in women with LUTS than those without LUTS (p < .05). Various LUTS were common in adult women. Some toileting behaviors such as premature urination, straining during urination, delayed urination, and sitting on the toilet while urinating were higher in women with LUTS compared to women without LUTS. Since the rate of unhealthy toilet behaviors is higher in women with LUTS, it is important to know unhealthy toilet behaviors in the management of LUTS and to organize training programs to prevent these behaviors and LUTS.

Prevalence and influencing factors of lower urinary tract symptoms in female nurses: a cross-sectional study based on TARGET

Background

Even though occupational women have a high incidence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), which seriously affect their daily work life, few large scale sample studies have provided empirical evidence to support this phenomenon among female nurses in China. Consequently, this article investigated female nurses who was presupposed to have a high prevalence of LUTS, which adversely exposes their health and patient safety to these risks. Additionally, it is considered important to explore the factors associated with LUTS in female nurses for patient care safety and nurse bladder health practice.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence of LUTS and symptoms-related risk factors among female nurses, to provide evidence for the prevention and control of LUTS.

Methods

An online survey recruiting 23,066 participants was carried out in a multicenter cross-sectional study in 42 hospitals from December 2020 to November 2022. Stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis and nomogram were used to identify the factors associated with lower urinary tract symptoms. Besides, SPSS version 26.0, R version 4.2.2, and GraphPad Prism Version 8.3 software packages were used for statistical analysis.

Results

Based on the completion rate of the questionnaire which was 84.1% (n = 19,393), it was found that among 19,393 female nurses, the prevalence of LUTS was 67.71% and this rate was influenced by age, Body Mass Index (BMI), marital status, years of working, menstrual status, mode of delivery, history of breastfeeding, history of miscarriage, history of alcohol and coffee or tea consumption (p < 0.05). Interestingly, we also find that in addition to the above mentioned factors, anxiety, depression, and perceived stress were also related to LUTS in female nurses (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Given the high prevalence of LUTS among female nurses and their potential influencing factors, female nurses should focus on their reproductive health and develop good lifestyle habits. Thus, nursing managers should provide a warm and harmonious work environment and sensitize female nurses to increase their awareness about the importance of drinking clean water and urinating during work in a hygienic environment.

Work-Related Factors Associated With the Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Among a Sample of Female Nurses in China

BACKGROUND

Female nurses are a high-risk group for pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD). Predictors of female nurses' PFD among work-related factors are not well known. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of PFD and its association with workplace conditions among female nurses in China.

METHODS

An online cross-sectional survey was conducted in May 2021. A sample of 380 registered nurses working in six tertiary hospitals in Nanjing, China participated. Data on individual characteristics, work-related factors, the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 and Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire-7 were used.

FINDINGS

The overall prevalence of PFD among nurses was 83.9%, with 43.9% of participants experiencing pelvic organ prolapse, 66.6% experiencing anorectal dysfunction and 60.5% experiencing lower urinary tract symptoms. In terms of work-related factors, PFD was associated with heavy lifting, pushing, and carrying at work, delayed toileting at work and fluid intake. Female nurses with PFD reported lower quality of life (QoL) relative to nurses without PFD.

CONCLUSIONS/APPLICATION TO PRACTICE

Our findings provide initial insights into workplace conditions that promote PFD among female nurses. Occupational health nurses should consider providing educational information for female workers who are potentially at risk for PFD and consider integrating screening of PFD into practice.

Occurrence of urinary tract infection and preventive strategies practiced by female students at a tertiary care teaching institution

BACKGROUND

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are more common in females than males and predominantly based on their unhealthy practices in their day to day lives. This study is trying to assess the occurrence of UTI and strategies used by female student to prevent UTI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional descriptive study carried out in a tertiary care teaching institute. A total of 338 conveniently selected B. Sc. Nursing and MBBS Medical students were surveyed. The data were collected by using a pretested, a self-structured questionnaire related to occurrence and practices to prevent UTI along with necessary demographic details. Descriptive (frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation) and inferential (Chi-square test) statistics was used to compute the data.

RESULTS

The result of this study shows that 10.05% female students reported of having UTI. The proportion was higher in nursing students (67.6%) than medical (32.4%) but did not show a significance difference (P = 0.61). Age, duration of hostel life, and marital status were significantly associated with the status of UTI (P = 0.001). To prevent UTI, students were using commercial product with Tea Tree Oil, soap, drinking 3-4 l water/day, increased frequency of peri-wash during menstruation period, and use of Citrus Fruits. The use of western toilet was also significantly associated with status of UTI (P = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

The occurrence of UTI was more among nursing students. Most of the perineal hygienic practices by the female students were associated with occurrence of UTI; hence, it is necessary to emphasize on preventive practices to minimize re-occurrence.

Womens' self-management skills for prevention and treatment of recurring urinary tract infection

BACKGROUND

The guideline on urinary tract infections (UTI) of the Dutch College of General Practitioners provides recommendations on patient-initiated treatment and prevention of recurring UTI.

AIM

To study familiarity with self-management skills for prevention of recurring UTI amongst adult women.

DESIGN AND SETTINGS

An online questionnaire was developed, based on the UTI guideline and interviews with women having recurring UTI. Pharmacists in a postgraduate education programme (N = 76) aimed to invite 10 adult women with a recurring UTI prescription to complete the questionnaire. Women were asked for informed consent to link medication record data to questionnaire data.

METHOD

We calculated proportions of the scores for self-management skills and analysed differences between age groups with chi-square test.

RESULTS

Complete questionnaires were available for 719 women (mean age 55.1 ± 18.5 years). The proportions of women 18-50 years and women 51 years or older were 36.4% and 63.6%, respectively. Education levels of women 18-50 years were significantly higher than those of women 51 years and older. Before consulting a general practitioner (GP) for symptoms, 32.1% of all women increased fluid intake; additionally, 15.0% used analgesics and increased fluid intake. Of all women, 33.9% searched internet for information on self-management and 18% occasionally received a prescription for patient-initiated treatment, half of these prescriptions for use during vacation. Cranberry was used by 47%, d-mannose by 5% and vitamin C by 29% of all women. Awareness of different preventive behavioural measures (eg, fluid intake, washing without soap and emptying bladder after sexual intercourse) varied between 20% and 90%.

CONCLUSION

Almost half of all women applied self-management (increased fluid intake, analgesics) before consulting a GP for recurring UTI. Awareness of preventive behavioural measures for recurring UTI varied considerably. Thus, education of women about the use of analgesics and behavioural measures deserves attention.

Urination behaviours of senior citizens in five Chinese cities: Results of a cross-sectional survey

AIM

To investigate the urination behaviours of senior citizens in China.

METHODS

Stratified random sampling was used to recruit senior citizens who met the inclusion criteria from five cities in China. After training by researchers, participants recorded their urination behaviours in real time by using the validated 7-day 24-hour urination behaviour record, which consisted of frequency of urination, time of urination, urinary urgency and urine colour.

RESULTS

Of the 551 recruited participants, 524 (233 male and 291 female) completed the survey, yielding a completion rate of 95.1%. The median frequency of urination was 7.4 times per day. The frequency of urination was highest among participants in Guangzhou, at 8.0 times per day (χ²  = 29.356; P < .001), and participants in the first percentile body mass index group, at 8.0 times per day (χ²  = 10.344; P = .016). The percentage of participants who urinated >7 times during the day was 44.3%. The percentage of participants who urinated ≥1 time at night was 77.5%. The number of times participants reported feeling no urge to urinate, a strong urge to urinate and an uncomfortable urge to urinate accounted for 59.7%, 62.8% and 24.8% of all records of urinary urgency, respectively. Instances of patients having no urge to urinate, a strong urgent to urinate and an uncomfortable urge accounted for 16.1%, 13.3% and 2.9% of all instances of urination, respectively. The number of times participants whose urine was yellow and dark yellow accounted for 69.1% and 18.9% of all records of urine colour, respectively. Urine with yellow and dark yellow colour accounted for 13.0% and 1.5%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Unhealthy urination behaviours, including urinating at night and holding back urine, were common among senior citizens. This result can provide information for the prevention and control of urinary system diseases.

Female nurses have a higher prevalence of urinary tract symptoms and infection than other occupations in dialysis units

Introduction:

Urinary tract symptoms and infection have been associated with occupational factors that impact hydration habits particularly in women. We compared self-reported urinary symptoms and infection and hydration habits between nurses and other occupations in dialysis units.

Methods:

Cross-sectional study. Participants worked in five nephrology centers in Brazil and answered an online questionnaire comprising questions regarding urinary tract symptoms and infection episodes in the preceding year; data on usual daily beverage intake, urine frequency, and urine color according to a urine color chart were also collected, as well as perceptions of water access and toilet adequacy at work.

Results:

We included 133 women (age=36.9±9.5 years). The self-reported usual daily beverage intake was 6.6±2.9 cups/day (~1320 mL), daily urine frequency was 5.4±2.1, and urine color chart score: 3.0±1.2. Nurses (N=66/49.6%) reported higher prevalence of burning sensation (50 versus 27%; P<0.001), urinary urgency (42 versus 21%; P<0.001), and infection (42% versus 25%; P=0.04) as well as lower liquid intake (6.0±2.6 versus 7.3±3.0 cups/day; P=0.01) than controls. Forty four percent of nurses reported being able to drink when thirsty "always" and "most of the time" versus 93% of the control group.

Conclusion:

Dialysis female nurses reported lower beverage intake and higher prevalence of symptoms and infection than other occupations in the same environment. Interventions to improve hydration can potentially decrease urinary problems in this population.

Epidemiological survey of adult female stress urinary incontinence

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in adult female in Taiyuan and what are the related risk factors are not clear. The aim of this study was to provide a basis for exploring the prevention and treatment of SUI in adult female in Taiyuan.

METHODS

A voluntary online questionnaire was used to investigate adult female in the community and surrounding townships of Taiyuan. Most of the questionnaires refer to the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms, and adapt to the specific circumstances of the region. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 22.0).

RESULTS

A total of 4004 eligible questionnaires were obtained. The prevalence of SUI in adult female in Taiyuan was 33.5%. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that place of residence, smoking, body mass index, diet, number of deliveries, mode of delivery, dystocia, menopause, oral contraceptives, urinary tract infection, making the bladder empty faster by pushing down and holding urine were risk factors for adult female stress urinary incontinence in Taiyuan.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of SUI in adult female in Taiyuan was high, and based on risk factors identified in this survey, population-level intervention strategies should be developed for the prevention and treatment of adult female SUI in Taiyuan.

Dispatched nurses' experience of wearing full gear personal protective equipment to care for COVID-19 patients in China-A descriptive qualitative study

Aims and objectives

We explored dispatched nurses’ experiences of wearing full gear personal protective equipment to care for patients with coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) in Wuhan, China.

Background

Full gear personal protective equipment is the primary and foremost measure to prevent the contact and transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome‐coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV2); however, working in full gear personal protective equipment may hinder nursing care activities and thus negatively affect patients’ and nurses’ health.

Design

This descriptive qualitative inquiry followed the COREQ guidelines.

Methods

Individual semi‐structured telephone interviews were conducted in a purposive sample of 15 frontline nurses who were dispatched to the outbreak epicentre from March to April 2020. Verbatim transcripts were content analysed.

Results

Four themes emerged from the data: inadequate preparedness for working with full gear personal protective equipment, full gear personal protective equipment stimulated stress responses, coping strategies and professional growth. Participants learned a great deal from problem‐focussed and emotion‐focussed strategies to tackle challenges related to the prolonged wearing of full gear personal protective equipment for quality nursing care and reduced risk of exposure. They became more vigilant to the adherence to evolving protocols and appropriate training concerning full gear personal protective equipment use.

Conclusions

Frontline nurses confronted various but diminishing challenges related to the use of full gear personal protective equipment when caring for patients with COVID‐19 across the approximate 40‐day period. Consistent use of coverall personal protective equipment to protect from SARS‐CoV‐2 in high exposure settings would be feasible if nurses were better prepared; therefore, scenario‐based skill training concerning the prolonged use of full gear personal protective equipment should be offered regularly and intensively.

Relevance to clinical practice

This study informs future decisions concerning improved full gear personal protective equipment‐related psychomotor training and promoting ways for nurses to cope with the stress that comes from working in highly contiguous environments.

Prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms in nurses and civil servants working at a hospital: a cross-sectional study

Background

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are common in women and can interrupt daily living activities of the individuals. The study aimed at determining the LUTS prevalence and the influencing factors in nurses and civil servants working at a hospital.

Methods

This cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted with 158 female nurses and 105 female civil servants. The data were obtained with a data collection form and the Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms-Short Form.

Results

This paper exposes that the prevalence of at least one LUTS was 94.2% in nurses and 97.1% in civil servants. The most common LUTS symptoms of nurses and civil servants were urgency (60.1% nurses, 81.9% civil servants) and urge incontinence (59.5% nurses, 81.9% civil servants). Nurses (60.8%) expressed significantly higher rates of having inadequate time going to the toilet due to their work conditions compared to the civil servants (41.9%) (p<0.05). BFLUTS-SF scores in terms of age, BMI, parity, having cesarean and vaginal delivery and urinary incontinence in their previous pregnancies were compared between two groups, statistically significant differences were found (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Workplace conditions of the health workers should be reorganizing to have healthy urinary habits for preventing them from the development of LUTS.

Prevalence and associated factors of urinary incontinence in women living in China: a literature review

Background

This review of studies on urinary incontinence (UI) was focused primarily on UI prevalence rates and associated factors across the adult lifecourse of Chinese women. UI is a urologic symptom that can have a significant impact on women's physical and mental health and quality of life. In addition, women with UI may experience socioeconomic burdens due to UI’s effect on their ability to work and function in society. Although researchers from many countries have reported prevalence rates and associated factors for UI, little is known about the prevalence of UI in China’s large female population. Language may act as a barrier to the inclusion of published studies in English-language journals. To overcome this barrier and to add to the global knowledge base about UI in women, the authors reviewed and discussed findings from epidemiological studies published in China and in Chinese language.

Methods

The authors retrieved research studies from the Wanfang database using the following search terms: "Subject: (Female) × Subject: (Urinary incontinence) × Subject: (Prevalence) × Date: 2013 to 2019". Searches employed the China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals and China Biology Medicine Database. The authors also used PubMed to search English-language studies published in Chinese journals on UI in Chinese women.

Results

This literature review includes 48 articles published between January 2013 and December 2019. The overall UI prevalence rates reported in adult Chinese women ranged from 8.7 to 69.8%, representing 43–349 million women, respectively. For women aged 17–40 years, 41–59 years, and 60 years and older, prevalence rates ranged from 2.6–30.0, 8.7–47.7, to 16.9–61.6%, respectively. Significant associated factors for overall UI included age, body mass index, constipation, parity, and menopause. Despite the 17–40 age range being peak reproductive years, the literature revealed little focus on UI prevalence rates. For women aged 41–59 years, the main associated factors included those related to pregnancy and gynecologic diseases. For women 60 years and older, chronic diseases represented most of the associated factors.

Conclusions

About 43–349 million Chinese women may experience UI. Many of the identified associated factors could be mitigated to reduce UI incidence and prevalence rates. Little is known about the prevalence rates and associated factors for UI among young (aged 17–40) Chinese women. Future research should investigate UI in young women to improve bladder health across their lifecourse.

Behavioral and dietary risk factors of recurrent urinary tract infection in Chinese postmenopausal women: a case-control study

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to examine the behavioral and dietary risk factors of recurrent urinary tract infection (RUTI) in postmenopausal patients in China.

METHODS

We performed a population-based case-control study with 193 postmenopausal women with RUTI and 193 age-matched healthy female controls with no history of RUTI. The study was conducted between January 2016 and June 2018 in Changzhou, China. Data were collected using an interviewer-based questionnaire, including information on demographics, lifestyle behavior, and habitual diet. Conditional logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the risk factors associated with RUTI.

RESULTS

Wiping from back to front after toilet use, sedentary behavior >6 hours/day, delayed voiding, and chronic constipation were associated with an increased risk of RUTI. Drinking more than three cups of green tea per month showed an inverse association with RUTI. However, there was no evidence of dose dependency for overall consumption. Additionally, the three-cup association involved a small proportion of cases and may reflect statistical artifact.

CONCLUSIONS

Wiping from back to front after toilet use, sedentary behavior, delayed voiding, and chronic constipation are associated with an increased risk of RUTI in postmenopausal women.

Toileting Behaviors Related to Urination in Women: A Scoping Review

This scoping review explores the state of science regarding women’s toileting behaviors, gaps in knowledge, and areas for future research. Online databases were searched to identify papers published in English between January 2010 through July 2019; the search identified 25 articles. The Toileting Behaviors–Women’s Elimination Behaviors scale has been published in four validated language versions and used in 17 of the 25 studies. The most frequent behaviors include concern about public toilet cleanliness, delaying urination when busy or away from home, and using different toileting postures at and away from home. Determinants of toileting behaviors include environmental factors, chronic health conditions, and cognitive/psychological factors. Associations were found between toileting behaviors and lower urinary tract symptoms and between toileting postures and uroflowmetric parameters and post-void residual volume. Strategies that address modifiable determinants of toileting behaviors should be developed and tested in future research. Furthermore, little is known about the toileting behaviors and bladder health in older women and women from developing countries. Rigorous studies are needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms of toileting behaviors, the nature of associations between toileting behaviors and lower urinary tract symptoms, and effects of the environment on women’s toileting behaviors.

Women With Overactive Bladder Exhibit More Unhealthy Toileting Behaviors: A Cross-sectional Study

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether women overactive bladder symptoms would report more frequent unhealthy toileting behaviors.

METHODS

A community-based sample of adult women was electronically recruited to complete the Toileting Behavior Scale and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Overactive Bladder module, as well as clinical and demographic questionnaires. The associations between overactive bladder and toileting behavior subscales were assessed as continuous variables using Spearman's rank correlation and as dichotomous variables with multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of the 6562 adult women included in the analytic sample, 1059 (16.1%) were classified as having overactive bladder. Of the toileting behavior subscales, convenience voiding had the highest, positive association with overactive bladder score (r = 0.301, P < .0001). On multivariable logistic regression, women with overactive bladder (OAB) were more likely to report behaviors of convenience voiding (odds ratio [OR] 1.13, confidence intervals [CI] 1.11-1.15), delayed voiding (OR 1.05, CI 1.02-1.08), straining to void (OR 1.05, CI 1.03-1.07), and position preference (OR 1.13, CI 1.08-1.18).

CONCLUSION

OAB symptoms were associated with specific toileting behaviors of convenience voiding, delayed voiding, straining to void, and position preference. Further investigation is needed to determine if toileting behaviors are a risk factor for OAB or a compensatory adaptation to mitigate symptoms.

U.S. Adolescent and Adult Women's Experiences Accessing and Using Toilets in Schools, Workplaces, and Public Spaces: A Multi-Site Focus Group Study to Inform Future Research in Bladder Health

The World Health Organization recognizes access to clean and safe toilets as crucial for public health. This study explored U.S. adolescent and adult cisgender women's lived experiences accessing toilets in schools, workplaces, and public spaces. As part of the Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium, we conducted 44 focus groups with female participants (n = 360; ages 11-93). Focus groups were stratified by age (11-14, 15-17, 18-25, 26-44, 45-64, 65+) and conducted across 7 geographically diverse U.S. sites from July 2017-April 2018. Using a transdisciplinary approach, we conducted conventional qualitative coding informed by our PLUS conceptual framework and used content analysis processes to identify salient themes. Across settings, toilet access was restricted by "gatekeepers" (i.e., individuals who control access to toilets). In contrast, self-restricting toilet use (deciding not to use the toilet despite biologic need to urinate) was based on internalized norms to prioritize school and job responsibilities over urination. In public spaces, self-restricting use was largely in response to lack of cleanliness. Across the life course, participants perceived gender disparities in the ability to easily access public toilets. Further research is needed to determine if and how these factors impact bladder health across the life course.

Delaying voiding, limiting fluids, urinary symptoms, and work productivity: A survey of female nurses and midwives

AIM

To examine the relationships between workplace bladder practices, urinary symptoms, and work productivity.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional observational survey.

METHODS

Surveys were distributed June-November 2016 to at least 600 female nurses and midwives at three urban hospitals in New South Wales, Australia. Nurses self-reported restricted workplace access to toilets, delaying voiding, limiting of fluid intakes and urinary symptoms at work. Logistic modelling was used to examine whether nurses' bladder practices impaired their time management, ability to concentrate or perform physical demands.

RESULTS

Of 353 useable surveys, one in five nurses (22.4%; N = 79) reported restricted access to toilets at work, most (77.1%; N = 272) delayed voiding and one in four (26.9%; N = 95) limited fluid intakes to delay voiding at work. Almost half the sample had urinary symptoms at work (46.7%; N = 165); delaying voiding increased the likelihood of impaired mental concentration and limiting fluid intakes increased the likelihood of impaired time management.

CONCLUSION

As workplace access to toilets and related bladder practices are modifiable, associated urinary symptoms and productivity loss may be preventable.

IMPACT

Nurses' often experience restricted accesses to amenities due to job demands and workplace environments. The impact of nurses' poor bladder practices in the workplace is not known. In this study most nurses delayed voiding and many purposefully limited fluid intakes at work. These behaviours impacted a nurse's ability to manage time and/or concentrate at work. Results have implications for nurses' personal health, the design of workplace environments, workforce management, occupational health policy, and patient care.

Toileting behaviors and factors associated with urinary incontinence in college-aged female students in China

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Urinary incontinence (UI) is prevalent among women, including young women (18-30 years old). This article aims to explore the prevalence of UI, as well as toileting behaviors and other factors that are associated with UI, in female college students in central China.

METHODS

We used convenience sampling to recruit 1000 students from five institutions of higher education. We distributed pencil-and-paper questionnaires to obtain demographic, environmental, and general health information, including whether UI was present or not, and information regarding toileting behaviors used by the respondents.

RESULTS

Most students, n = 929, responded to the questionnaire. Their ages ranged from 18 to 26 years old (average: 20.5 ± 1.6); 23.6% of these respondents reported UI, 52.7% often/always worried about public toilet cleanliness, and 25.3% often/always delayed emptying their bladder when they were busy. Respondents who were between 21 and 26 years old had a lower probability of UI (odds ratio [OR] = 0.867 and 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.771-0.975) than younger respondents (18-21 years old). Respondents who reported constipation (OR = 2.395, 95% CI = 1.494-3.839), drank alcohol (OR = 1.763, 95% CI = 1.114-2.792), often/always delayed urination (OR = 1.738, 95% CI = 1.306-2.313), and/or often/always strained to urinate (OR = 1.433, 95% CI = 1.111-1.849) had greater odds of having UI than respondents who did not have constipation or engage in these behaviors.

CONCLUSIONS

UI is prevalent in young Chinese women who are attending college. These women should be asked and given culturally appropriate information about UI and associated factors that include toileting behaviors.

Validity and Reliability of the Korean Version of the Women's Toileting Behavior Scale

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of the Korean version of the Toileting Behavior Scale (KTBS) to assess women's toileting behavior related to urinary elimination.

METHODS

The original English version, the Toileting Behavior: Women's Elimination Behaviors scale, was translated into Korean with forward and backward translation. Examinations of internal consistency reliability, construct validity using exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, item convergent validity, and discriminant validity were conducted with SPSS/WIN 23.0 and AMOS/WIN 23.0 software. Concurrent validity was examined with the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form.

RESULTS

Cronbach α for the overall scale was 0.78, and the 5 subscales ranged from 0.79 to 0.94. The exploratory factor analysis revealed 5 factors for the 17-item scale. Confirmatory factor analysis supported good convergent and discriminant values (λ=0.49-0.96, critical ratio=4.51-15.68>1.97, P<0.05, construct reliability=0.72-0.97). The concurrent validity was supported by correlation with the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (r=0.146, P=0.011).

CONCLUSION

The KTBS (17 items) is an appropriate tool to measure older Korean women's toileting behavior with good validity and reliability.

A systematic review of the prevalence, risk factors, and impact of pelvic floor dysfunctions in nurses

AIM

To investigate the prevalence, risk factors, and impact of pelvic floor dysfunctions in female nurses.

DESIGN

A systematic review.

DATA SOURCES

Searches were conducted in the following five electronic databases: PubMed/Medline, LILACS, SCIELO, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL. There were no period or language limitations.

REVIEW METHODS

Data extraction and synthesis were conducted and the appraisal of the quality of the studies was performed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool checklist for prevalence data.

RESULTS

A total of 15 studies were included. The symptoms investigated were lower urinary tract symptoms, including urinary incontinence and its subtypes, sexual dysfunctions, constipation, faecal incontinence, and dual incontinence. Overall, prevalence ranged from 9.9% to 89.6%. Associated factors related to occupational roles were lifting heavy weights and poor bladder habits. Quality of life was significantly worse for nurses with pelvic floor disorders.

CONCLUSION

Pelvic floor dysfunctions are very common among female nurses, considerably affecting their quality of life. Additional studies are needed to investigate the impact on work productivity, causal relationships with the occupation and the performance of prevention and treatment interventions directed toward this population.

Toileting Behaviors of Women-What is Healthy?

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to assess toileting behaviors in community dwelling women.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Women 18 years old or older were recruited through a national registry of research volunteers. They were asked to complete validated questionnaires assessing urinary symptoms and toileting behaviors, specifically place preference for voiding, convenience voiding, delayed voiding, straining during voiding and position preference for voiding. The PPBC (patient perception of bladder condition) was administered to assess the participant impression of bladder health. Analyses were done to determine the prevalence of each toileting behavior reported to occur sometimes or more often as well as differences in toileting behaviors in women with vs without self-perceived bladder problems based on the PPBC response.

RESULTS

The 6,695 women who completed the questionnaires were 18 to 89 years old (mean ± SD age 41.4 ± 15). Of the women 79.9% identified as white and 71.0% were college educated. Of the women 6,613 (98.8%) reported a place preference for voiding. The 3,552 women (53.1%) who reported a bladder problem were more likely to report convenience voiding, delayed voiding and strained voiding behaviors. While 6,657 women (99.4%) reported sitting to void at home only 5,108 (76.2%) reported sitting when using public toilets.

CONCLUSIONS

Certain toileting behaviors, of which some may be considered unhealthy, were common in this sample of women and most were associated with a perception of bladder problems. Voiding positions other than sitting were frequently used when away from home. These data have important implications for defining bladder health and implementing behavior based interventions for women with lower urinary tract symptoms.

Relationships among occupational stress, toileting behaviors, and overactive bladder in nurses: A multiple mediator model

AIMS

To investigate: (a) the prevalence of overactive bladder among male and female operating room nurses; (b) the unhealthy toileting behaviours that nurses adopt to void their bladders; and (c) the mediating roles that different toileting behaviours play in the relationship between occupational stress and overactive bladder.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional design was used.

METHODS

This study was conducted from July - September 2016 in Jinan, China. Four hundred eligible operating room nurses in five hospitals were recruited. Data were collected through survey questionnaires including the nurse job stress scale, the toileting behaviours scale and the overactive bladder symptom score questionnaire. Multivariate linear or logistic regression models, as appropriate, were used to test the mediation effect of each toileting behaviour on the relationship between occupational stress and overactive bladder.

RESULTS

Overactive bladder was highly prevalent in both male and female nurses working in operating rooms. Approximately one of three nurses reported experiencing an overactive bladder. The most common unhealthy toileting behaviour was delayed voiding. Unhealthy toileting behaviours mediated the relationship between occupational stress and overactive bladder. With high levels of occupational stress, nurses tended to adopt unhealthy toileting behaviours to empty their bladders. The more the nurses engaged in unhealthy toileting behaviours (e.g. delayed voiding and straining to void), the greater the likelihood of having overactive bladders.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the mediating role of toileting behaviours on occupational stress and overactive bladder. To accommodate occupational stress, nurses engaged in unhealthy toileting behaviours that were detrimental to their bladder health.

Occupation and lower urinary tract symptoms in women: A rapid review and meta-analysis from the PLUS research consortium

AIMS

Chronic, infrequent voiding may be a risk factor for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in women. To inform this hypothesis, we conducted a rapid literature review and meta-analysis of LUTS by occupation as an indirect measure of infrequent voiding behaviors.

METHODS

Two independent medical librarians searched Pubmed.gov studies (1990-2017) on adult women for occupations, industries, and workplace environment and LUTS outcomes: overactive bladder (OAB), urinary incontinence (UI), urinary tract infections (UTIs), and individual voiding and storage LUTS. Two authors reviewed full text articles meeting content criteria. Among studies with similar UI definitions, we estimated the prevalence of monthly UI using a random effects meta-analysis model.

RESULTS

Of 1078 unique citations identified, 113 underwent full article review and 33 met inclusion criteria. Twenty-six of these studies examined specific occupation groups, including nurses/midwives (n = 6 studies), healthcare workers/support staff (n = 6), military personnel (n = 3), teachers (n = 3), and other groups (n = 7), whereas eight compared findings across broad occupation groups. UI was reported in 30 studies (23% using validated measures), OAB in 6 (50% validated), and UTIs in 2 (non-validated). In pooled models, the degree of heterogeneity was too high (I²  = 96.9-99.2%) among the studies to perform valid prevalence estimates for LUTS.

CONCLUSIONS

Current literature limits the ability to evaluate LUTS by occupation types. Future studies should characterize voiding frequency and toilet access in a consistent manner by occupation and explore its relation to LUTS development.

Effects of an education program on toileting behaviors and bladder symptoms in overactive bladder patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Overactive bladder is more common in patients with type 2 diabetes than in those without diabetes. Many patients with diabetes adopt unhealthy toileting behaviors to empty their bladder that may contribute to the onset or worsening of overactive bladder.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether an education program targeting toileting behaviors is effective for helping overactive bladder patients with type 2 diabetes in terms of adopting healthy toileting behaviors, improving bladder symptoms, and enhancing quality of life.

DESIGN

The study was a parallel, pragmatic, open-label randomized trial.

SETTINGS

The trial was conducted in a hospital-based endocrinology outpatient department in Jinan, China.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 104 patients were randomly assigned to a 6-week education program or a control group.

METHODS

Primary outcomes included toileting behaviors and bladder symptoms, including dry/wet overactive bladder and severity of urgency. Secondary outcomes were overactive bladder-specific and general quality of life. The patients were reassessed on the outcome variables at the end of the intervention and at 3 months and 6 months following the intervention. The analysis followed the intent-to-treat principle. To account for the longitudinal data with repeated measures, group comparisons for continuous outcomes were evaluated using linear mixed models. Group differences in binary outcomes were examined using mixed-effects logit models.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, the education program group showed significant changes in three unhealthy toileting behaviors: premature voiding (-0.7, p < 0.001), place preference for voiding (-0.5, p = 0.007), and delayed voiding (-0.2, p = 0.011). The program significantly relieved the bladder symptoms (-2.2, p < 0.001) and decreased the probability of having wet overactive bladder (-0.3, p < 0.001) and the severity of urgency (-0.4, p < 0.001). It also significantly improved the overactive bladder-specific quality of life by 10.8 points (p = 0.001). Regarding patients' general quality of life, the physical aspect was enhanced by 3.0 points (p = 0.049); however, no effect on the mental well-being aspect was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Among overactive bladder patients with type 2 diabetes, the 6-week education program targeting toileting behaviors resulted in the adoption of healthy toileting behaviors, relief of bladder symptoms and improvement in quality of life in the 6 months following the intervention compared with routine care alone. The education program was highly successful and may represent an effective, acceptable, feasible, and safe intervention for improving bladder health and quality of life during diabetes care, given that the toileting behavioral changes were maintained during the 6-month follow-up period.

Toileting behaviors and overactive bladder in patients with type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study in China

Background

Overactive bladder is more prevalent in patients with type 2 diabetes than in those without diabetes. Unhealthy toileting behaviors may be associated with the development and worsening of overactive bladder symptoms. However, little is known about the relationships between toileting behaviors and overactive bladder in patients with diabetes. This study aimed to identify unhealthy toileting behaviors that patients with type 2 diabetes adopted to empty their bladders and investigate the relationships between toileting behaviors and overactive bladder.

Methods

Patients with type 2 diabetes from the endocrinology outpatient department of a hospital in China were recruited. The Toileting Behaviors-Women’s Elimination Behavior and Overactive Bladder Symptom Score questionnaires were used to assess the patients’ toileting behaviors and overactive bladder symptoms. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to explore the relationships between toileting behaviors and overactive bladder.

Results

Almost 14% of patients with diabetes had overactive bladder. The unhealthiest toileting behavior was premature voiding. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, premature voiding (OR = 1.286, p = 0.016) and straining to void (OR = 1.243, p = 0.026) were associated with overactive bladder. There was a greater likelihood of having overactive bladder when patients engaged in unhealthy toileting behaviors (premature voiding and straining to void).

Conclusions

Overactive bladder in patients with type 2 diabetes was more than twofold higher than that in the general population. Thus, overactive bladder is not just an inconsequential condition for patients with diabetes. Unhealthy toileting behaviors, e.g., premature voiding and straining to void, may contribute to the onset or worsening of overactive bladder in patients with diabetes. Identification and awareness of these modifiable behavioral factors during diabetes care is an essential component of primary prevention, alleviation, and management of overactive bladder symptoms.