title: Prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms among female elementary school teachers in Taipei.
abstract: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) among female elementary school teachers in Taipei. A total of 520 self-administered surveys were distributed to 26 elementary schools in Taipei City. Data analyses were based on 445 usable surveys. The prevalence rates for different types of LUTS ranged from 9.9 to 44.5%. The prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI; 26.7%) and nocturia (16.0%) fell within the prevalence estimates of these LUTS in North American and European women. Employed women in this study were more likely to experience LUTS than women in previous epidemiological or community studies. This study extended research on UI into other LUTS among employed women in Asia. Study results suggest that the working environment may affect LUTS in female elementary school teachers. This preliminary study is important for developing future behavioral interventions for female LUTS in the workplace.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Xin Street, Taipei, 110, Taiwan. ymliao@tmu.edu.tw
authors.forename: Yuan-Mei
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Molly C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Dougherty
authors.forename: Paul P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Biemer
authors.forename: Alice R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Boyington
authors.forename: Chin-Tai
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Mary H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Palmer
authors.forename: Mary R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Lynn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005178:Faculty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D053158:Nocturia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*