Continence myths: The need for evidence-based practice

Sue Woodward*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalEditorialpeer-review

Abstract

We all know that urinary incontinence is a hidden problem that causes many people embarrassment, and is not reported to a health professional by the vast majority of sufferers (Minassian et al, 2003). Myths and misconceptions abound among the public about the causes and treatment options for urinary incontinence, and many women, for example, believe that this is an inevitable consequence of child-bearing or ageing. Urinary incontinence affects one in four women, 25% of the female population (National Collaborating Centre for Women’s and Children’s Health, 2006), but is not a particularly ‘sexy’ subject. It affects more people than cancer or heart disease, and yet we don’t see incontinence splashed across the headlines—if you will pardon the pun—as a significant health issue affecting our population. This country is now officially the fattest nation in Europe (OECD, 2010), and there has been much debate in the media about the ‘obesity epidemic’ that is sweeping the land. I don’t know about you, but I haven’t spotted the public awareness campaign about the stress incontinence epidemic that could follow as a result of this obesity!
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages1
JournalBritish journal of nursing (Mark Allen Publishing)
Volume19
Issue numberS8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 27 Sept 2013

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