Health Seeking Behavior among Elderly Women Suffering from Urinary Incontinence in Geriatric Homes

Background: Urinary Incontinence (UI) is a common but under-reported problem among women globally with a reported 20% of individuals with UI seek medical care for treatment of their symptoms. Urinary incontinence is a basic nursing care issue, so nurses must be more creative, inventive, and bold in developing new approaches to preventing and managing urinary incontinence.Aim of the Study: To assess the health seeking behavior among elderly women suffering from urinary incontinence and suggest a protocol of care.Research Design: A descriptive exploratory was utilized.Sample: Purposive sample of 60 of elderly women suffering from urinary incontinence were included in the current study.Setting: This study was conducted at seven geriatric homes at Giza governorate.Tool of Data Collection: A questionnaire sheet was developed, tested for clarity, and feasibility: Demographic data, medical history and health seeking behavior assessment.Results: The mean age of women currently leaking urine was 69.48 years (standard deviation=4.023). Aspect of daily life (praying, social activities, physical activities and psychological wellbeing) were disturbed by UI. In all, 53.3% of the affected women did not seek medical advice, stating the most common reason: UI is normal problem of aging.Conclusion: The majority of incontinent elderly women did not seek medical advice and also the majority becomes socially withdrawal. The most common factors affected health seeking behavior were frustration and depression.Recommendation: Educating the public about early symptoms of UI may help early detection and diagnosis of UI. This can be done through public broadcasted health messages which can also spot light on the availability of treatment and developed protocol of care should be offered to caregivers of the elders in assisted living facilities to offer up to date knowledge, and skills necessary to increase their abilities to care for elderly women with UI.