Hungarian Women's Health Care Seeking Behavior and Knowledge of Urinary Incontinence and Pelvic Organ Prolapse: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Importance: Adequate knowledge about pelvic floor disorders could lead to increased health care-seeking behavior, improved symptoms, and quality of life. Objectives: The aims of the present study were to evaluate Hungarian women's knowledge about pelvic floor disorders and to assess health care-seeking behavior. Study Design: We conducted a cross-sectional survey from March to October 2022 using self-administered questionnaires. The Prolapse and Incontinence Knowledge Questionnaire was used to assess Hungarian women's knowledge about pelvic floor disorders. The International Consultation of Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form was used to gather information about the symptoms of urinary incontinence. Results: Five hundred ninety-six women were included in the study. Urinary incontinence knowledge was deemed proficient in 27.7% of participants, while pelvic organ prolapse knowledge was deemed proficient in 40.4% of participants. Greater urinary incontinence knowledge was significantly associated (P < 0.001) with higher level of education (P = 0.016), work in a medical field (P < 0.001), and ever practiced pelvic floor muscle training (P < 0.001), whereas greater pelvic organ prolapse knowledge was significantly associated (P < 0.001) with higher level of education (P = 0.032), work in a medical field (P < 0.001), ever practiced pelvic floor muscle training (P = 0.017), and ever had pelvic organ prolapse (P = 0.022). Of the 248 participants who reported a history of urinary incontinence, only 42 (16.93%) women sought care. Care seeking was higher among women who were more knowledgeable about urinary incontinence and among women with more severe symptoms. Conclusions: Hungarian women had limited knowledge about urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. Health care seeking among women with urinary incontinence was low.