Author(s)

Florence E. Omu^1*, Sanaa M. Taghaddom², Chitra Vellolikalam¹, Fawzeyah S. H. S. Alharbi², Samiha I. A. Dwaib², Gifta Jeevakumari²

¹College of Nursing, The Public Authority for Applied Education & Training, Kuwait.
²Sabah Al Ahmad Urology Centre, Kuwait.

This study was conducted to determine the psycho-social impact of urinary incontinence (UI) on the quality of life of 250 Kuwaiti women with type 2 diabetic mellitus (DM). A survey method, using a 33-item 5-point Likert scale Arabic questionnaire adapted from the King’s Health Questionnaire (KHQ), was employed for data collection from February to May, 2014 while all the participants were receiving treatment for UI at a specialized urology center in Kuwait. Participants with UI and a co-morbidity of type 2 DM and obesity were 20 to 65 years old. Results showed the following variables were statistically significant for frequency of urine leak: Age was (χ² = 36.877, df = 3, P ≤ 0.000). Parity showed nulliparous women reported less urine leak compared to parous women: Chi-square was (χ² = 24.83, df = 12, P ≤ 0.016). Type 2 DM for more than 3 years duration had the highest incidence of several leaks per day. BMI of above 25 kg/m2 caused daily urine leak: Chi-square (χ² = 17.912, df = 9, P ≤ 0.036). Participants’ self reports of good general health were those who leaked urine either 2 - 3 times weekly or occasionally. Finally, the impact of incontinence on their lifestyle was reported as extreme by 128 (51.2%), and 6 (2.4%) reported little or no impact on their quality of life: Chi-square was (χ² = 52.392, df = 18, P ≤ 0.000). In conclusion, this study showed a clear correlation between UI and reduced quality of life. Midwives are well positioned to correct the myth that UI is an inevitable byproduct of childbearing. Midwives should explain to all pregnant women how childbirth can be a risk factor and provide anticipatory guidance by teaching preventive measures like pelvic floor exercises before and after delivery. Family members should assist sufferers in coping with their challenges by dispelling any form of stigmatization, joining them in practicing pelvic floor exercises, and encouraging, empathizing and supporting them emotionally.

Urinary Incontinence, Mixed Incontinence, Stress Incontinence, Urge Incontinence, Overactive Bladder, Quality of Life, Diabetes Mellitus, Obesity

Omu, F. , Taghaddom, S. , Vellolikalam, C. , Alharbi, F. , Dwaib, S. and Jeevakumari, G. (2020) The Psycho-Social Impact of Urinary Incontinence on the Quality of Life among Kuwaiti Women with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Open Journal of Nursing, 10, 716-729. doi: 10.4236/ojn.2020.107051.