The Meaning of Urinary Incontinence in Female Geriatric Population Who Experience Urinary Incontinence: A Qualitative Study

Aim: The aim of this study is to describe the meaning of urinary incontinence in female geriatric population who experience urinary incontinence. Materials and methods: The study was conducted with 11 volunteer women chosen by using criterion sampling method among patients who were aged 65 and over and who applied to the Urogynecology unit in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Istanbul University Istanbul Medical Faculty between 1st November and 31st December, 2013. A qualitative methodology using thematic analysis was utilized to conduct the study. The data were collected through a semi-structured interview form with open-ended questions which were prepared by the researchers and which aimed to investigate the effects of incontinence. All the interviews were conducted using in-depth interview technique and the responses were tape recorded. The data were then coded, and the themes related to the topic were created with thematic analysis method. Results: The participants mentioned the state of urinary incontinence as an embarrassing or secret situation rather than a disease, thus waited for years before seeking treatment. The themes emerged from the present study included “limitations in social activities”, “unable to be clean, unable to feel clean”, “unable to share with others”, and “unable to do religious obligations”. Some of the participants stated that they did not want to travel long distances, and when they had to, they went with their husbands or children. They also stated that they did not want to be in social environments. Some other participants reportedly felt worried about not reaching the bathroom when they need to and thus having incontinence. They also felt worried that their incontinence would be noticed by others. In conclusion, this study found that urinary incontinence caused embarrassment for women aged 65 and over; this feeling prevented them from seeking treatment for years.