Perceptions of urinary incontinence among Syrian Christian women living in Sweden.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to describe the perception of urinary incontinence (UI) among Syrian women living in Sweden.


METHODS
A qualitative, descriptive design with focus group discussions (FGDs) was used and analyzed with content analysis. Fourteen Syrian women were interviewed in three FGDs.


RESULTS
Three categories emerged, "Thoughts on UI," "Managing UI," and "Communication With the Health Care System." Among the interviewees, UI was a common, and expected, problem, which could be managed. However, some expressed shame and embarrassment. Some talked about communication problems with health care.


CONCLUSIONS
The health care system should be adjusted to the women's needs, with awareness of the communication difficulties, which could result in misunderstanding and neglected treatments.
Orebro University Hospital, Sweden. gunnel.andersson@orebroll.se
Gunnel
G
Andersson
Jan Erik
JE
Johansson
Kerstin
K
Nilsson
Eva
E
Sahlberg-Blom
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D002835:Christianity; D003144:Communication Barriers; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D013548:Sweden; D013593:Syria / Q000208:ethnology; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000628:therapy