![[ Visit WOCN Website ]](images/header_bg.jpg)
Introduction: Urinary and fecal incontinence have profound impact on satisfaction with life and its relationship with quality of life (QOL)1,2. Health care providers and organizations providing assistance to those experiencing incontinence need to understand their life issues. This study investigates satisfaction with sexual, social, family, and vocational life, as well as spouse/life partner relationships, leisure, and financial aspects.
Methodology: A not-for-profit website for those seeking assistance with urinary and fecal incontinence posted a solicitation for participants to complete a comprehensive health and life assessment. The assessment tool is a self reported web based survey. It has been assessed for reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.89) and validity. A sample size of 397 was obtained (margin of error equals 5%).
A stepwise regression was chosen to identify life aspects contributing most to overall contentment.
Results/Discussion: The data indicates that satisfaction with leisure time has a major impact on the lives of those with incontinence in 38 percent of the sample. This is followed by satisfaction with spouse/partner (8%) and financial situation (6%). However, when stratified by gender, differences are noted. Leisure time explaining 44% of the variance in males followed by satisfaction with sexual life (6%). In females, satisfaction with family life takes precedence (47%), followed by leisure time (10%) and financial situation (5%).
Conclusions: Satisfaction scores may provide insight into priorities of those with incontinence. Whereas leisure time and financial situation are important to men and women, family life is especially meaningful to this female population. The results also suggest that one’s financial situation may be more important as one ages. To provide relevant services for this population, it is important to ask clients how incontinence impacts their daily activities and life quality. This information can then guide the development of recommendations and interventions that are meaningful to the client.
Methodology: A not-for-profit website for those seeking assistance with urinary and fecal incontinence posted a solicitation for participants to complete a comprehensive health and life assessment. The assessment tool is a self reported web based survey. It has been assessed for reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.89) and validity. A sample size of 397 was obtained (margin of error equals 5%).
A stepwise regression was chosen to identify life aspects contributing most to overall contentment.
Results/Discussion: The data indicates that satisfaction with leisure time has a major impact on the lives of those with incontinence in 38 percent of the sample. This is followed by satisfaction with spouse/partner (8%) and financial situation (6%). However, when stratified by gender, differences are noted. Leisure time explaining 44% of the variance in males followed by satisfaction with sexual life (6%). In females, satisfaction with family life takes precedence (47%), followed by leisure time (10%) and financial situation (5%).
Conclusions: Satisfaction scores may provide insight into priorities of those with incontinence. Whereas leisure time and financial situation are important to men and women, family life is especially meaningful to this female population. The results also suggest that one’s financial situation may be more important as one ages. To provide relevant services for this population, it is important to ask clients how incontinence impacts their daily activities and life quality. This information can then guide the development of recommendations and interventions that are meaningful to the client.
Previous Abstract
|
Next Abstract >>