Prevalence of urinary and fecal incontinence in Pouso Alegre, Brazil

Aim: this study aimed to analyze the urinary (UI), fecal incontinence (FI) and combined (CI), in adults from the urban area of Pouso Alegre city, Brazil, and the demographic and clinical variables associated to urinary and fecal losses. Methods: this epidemiological study was carried out in Pouso Alegre city, after the approval from the Ethics Committee of Nursing School of University of São Paulo. Five hundred and nineteen individuals, residents in 341 homes sorted at random, aging ≥18 years old, with adequate mental and physical conditions and who accepted to participate in this investigation were interviewed. Two instruments were used for data collection: UI data (developed and validated by Menezes, Hashimoto and Santos) and Presence of anal incontinence (Bowel Function in the Community Tool, adapted and validated by Domansky and Santos 2007). Data were submitted to Qui-Square, Hasmer Lemeshow tests and to logistical regression. The prevalence was established by gender and age. Results: the results showed 20.1% for UI prevalence, being 6.2% for male and 32.9% for female; 7.0% for FI, in general and for both male and female; and 3.0% for CI, being 1.0% for male and 5.0% for female. In the final model of logistical regression, UI time (OR=29.3; p<0.001), diabetes mellitus (OR=17.7; p<0.001), stroke (OR=15.9; p<0.001) and bladder prolapse (OR=12.5; p<0.001) were the most important factors associated to UI; number of children (OR=5.1; p<0.001), hemorrhoidals (OR=4.4; p<0.001) and  bladder prolapse (OR=3.0; p<0.001), for FI; change in daily life habits (OR=62.2; p<0.001)), CI time (OR=39.2; p<0.001), female gender (OR=21.6; p<0.001) and be widow (OR=19.4; p<0.001), for CI. Conclusion: this study contributes for new studies using the same methodology applied in bigger populations and also for the establishment of public polices and programs for UI, FI and CI primary and secondary prevention as well as their management at least in a local level.