The Effects of a Urinary Incontinence Management Program for Middle Aged Women in a Rural Area

농촌 중년여성의 요실금 프로그램 효과

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a urinary incontinence management program for middle aged women living in a rural area. Method: The research design was a one-group pretest-posttest design. Forty eight women with urinary incontinence aged 40-64, who lived in a rural area were included in the study. The urinary incontinence management program was composed of urinary incontinence education, pelvic floor muscle exercise, behavior management using a voiding diary. The program had three weekly sessions. Knowledge about urinary incontinence, physical symptoms, self-efficacy, and urinary incontinence related quality of life were measured before and after the program. Results: After carrying the urinary incontinence management program, knowledge score improved significantly compared to before the program ($6.31{\pm}3.30$ vs $7.77{\pm}2.55$, p=.01). But the score for self-efficacy, and urinary incontinence related quality of life did not improve. Conclusion: The 3 week urinary incontinence program had an effect on knowledge related to urinary incontinence, but not self efficacy nor urinary incontinence related quality of life. Thus further study is required to better evaluate the effects of the urinary incontinence program.