Prevalence of Urinary Incontinence and its Association with Physical Activity Across Different Trimesters of Pregnancy

Abstract

Objectives To find the prevalence of urinary incontinence and its association with physical activity across different trimesters of pregnancy. Methodology

This Observational cross-sectional study was conducted in the gynecology department of Younas Hospital, Sialkot. The data was collected through a non-probability convenient sampling technique from 500 pregnant females. The females above 20 years and having urinary incontinence were included. The females having Backache problems, sciatica, Diabetes, Smoking/Alcohol consumption, and Spinal cord Injuries were excluded. The self-structured Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ) was used for data collection. The data was analyzed by SPSS v27.

Results

There were 500 females with having mean age of 27.18 years and a BMI of 24.42. There were 74% housewives and 26% employees. These females had 40.4% second trimester and 45.2% third trimester. There were females, 71.2% urge, 65.8% stress, and 60% overflow incontinence, respectively. The mean values of total physical activity, light intensity, moderate intensity, vigorous intensity activities were 21.76, 7.02, 8.30, 6.38, and 0.04 (MET.h/Week), respectively. The correlation of total physical activity with no of trimesters (r =-0.066, p = 0.143), mode of delivery (r =-0.043, p = 0.335). The correlation of total physical activity with urge (r =-.322**, p = 0.000), stress (r =0.012, p = 0.784), overflow (r=-0.018, p = 0.687) and drippling incontinence (r =-0.008, p = 0.862).

Conclusions

It is concluded from the study that women with physically active lifestyles complained of urge incontinence more often. The incontinence had not so much influence on the level of physical activity.