title: Urinary incontinence: prevalence and knowledge among community-dwelling Korean women aged 55 and over.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) among community-dwelling older women in Korea is not well known. This study examined the prevalence of UI and UI-related knowledge among community-dwelling Korean women aged 55 and over.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional descriptive-correlational study was conducted. Data were collected from 276 women aged 55 and over in a metropolitan city using a structured questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 276 respondents, 28.3% (n = 78) reported experiencing UI. More than 50% of respondents incorrectly agreed with the statement that UI is the result of normal aging, with only 20.9% realizing that there is an exercise that can control urine leaks when one coughs, sneezes, or laughs. Older women who had sought treatment had higher mean score for UI-related knowledge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study revealed substantial misconception about UI among community dwelling older women, demonstrating that comprehensive educational programs need to be developed to increase knowledge of UI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Chosun University, 375 Seosuk-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju 501-759, Korea. jinsun@chosun.ac.kr
authors.forename: Jin-Sun
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Eun-Hyun
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hyung-Cheol
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D015995:Prevalence; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012648:Self Care; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014930:Women / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology