Impacto no cotidiano de mulheres com incontinência urinária

Abstract

The objective of this study was to know the impact on women's daily lives with urinary incontinence (UI) and the perception of this impact according to them. The UI is a condition that provokes involuntary loss of urine. This research had qualitative and descriptive nature and was developed in a Urology center in Southern Santa Catarina, in Brazil, with 15 women diagnosed with UI, which was confirmed through the urodynamic study. Semi-structured interview was used to collect the data. Data were analyzed with the simple content analysis technique. We respected in all moments of the research the ethical aspects described on the National Council of Health (CNS) Resolution no. 466/12. The results are in agreement with the ones reached by other studies: incontinent women with affected quality of life in their daily lives in professional, domestic, sexual, physical and psychological issues. Ignorance of the UI causes was also observed, since the problem was attributed to factors that have no scientific basis. It was also seen an important relation between the UI and psychological processes of sadness, anxiety and social isolation. In conclusion, the study showed the influence of UI in various aspects of women's everyday life, requiring their proactive attitude as the main protagonist for the production and recovery of their health.