An Exploration of Associate Degree Nursing Students' Beliefs and Attitudes Related to Urinary Incontinence

Introduction: Information regarding the associate degree nursing students’ attitudes and beliefs concerning urinary incontinence is lacking in the literature. The ability for associate degree nursing students to assess and manage urinary incontinence is vital to the care of patients throughout the lifespan and in any clinical setting. This is supported by the National Association for Continence’s (2012) report that there are 25 million people in the United States experiencing urinary incontinence.

Purpose:  This study was designed to determine the associate degree nursing students’ beliefs and attitudes toward urinary incontinence and clinical judgment when caring for a patient who is experiencing urinary incontinence.

Methods: Convenience samples of associate degree nursing students from both a distance-based and traditional associate degree nursing programs were obtained to participate in the study. Inclusion criteria were completion of the urinary incontinence component of the respective school’s curriculum. Respondents were obtained through arrangements with a contact person in each associate degree nursing program. The study instrument, The Urinary Incontinence Scales, was distributed to 501 student email addresses using Survey Monkey. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, and ANOVA.

Results: The response rate to The Urinary Incontinence Scales was 16.97% (n=85; N=501) with the distance-based associate degree nursing students having a higher participation rate. There were nine participants who did not identify a school affiliation. The mean score for Beliefs were 93.69 (SD) for a maximum score of 138. The mean Attitude Scale score were 91.01 (SD 12.01) for a maximum score of 120.  The Associate Degree nursing students scored 41.76 (SD 19.64) of a maximum 75 on the Actions (Practice) Scale.

Conclusion: Associate degree nursing students’ attitudes and beliefs indicate that there is an impact on the care being provided to patients experiencing urinary incontinence.