Barriers to Seeking Medical Consultation for Urinary Incontinence: A Nationwide Population-Based Study in Saudi Arabia.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Urinary incontinence (UI) is prevalent and often underreported due to various barriers affecting healthcare-seeking behavior. This study aimed to identify barriers preventing patients from seeking help for UI, assess the influence of sociodemographic and clinical factors on these barriers, and determine the associations between UI types and barriers in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

A nationwide, cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2024 to April 2025 among individuals aged ≥ 18 years who experienced UI and had not sought medical consultation. Participants completed a questionnaire that comprised sociodemographic data, the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF), and a modified Barriers to Incontinence

SUBMITTER: Almajed E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12515558 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature