Toileting behaviors and factors associated with urinary incontinence in college-aged female students in China

Introduction and hypothesis Urinary incontinence (UI) is prevalent among women, including young women (18–30 years old). This article aims to explore the prevalence of UI, as well as toileting behaviors and other factors that are associated with UI, in female college students in central China. Methods We used convenience sampling to recruit 1000 students from five institutions of higher education. We distributed pencil-and-paper questionnaires to obtain demographic, environmental, and general health information, including whether UI was present or not, and information regarding toileting behaviors used by the respondents. Results Most students, n = 929, responded to the questionnaire. Their ages ranged from 18 to 26 years old (average: 20.5 ± 1.6); 23.6% of these respondents reported UI, 52.7% often/always worried about public toilet cleanliness, and 25.3% often/always delayed emptying their bladder when they were busy. Respondents who were between 21 and 26 years old had a lower probability of UI (odds ratio [OR] = 0.867 and 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.771–0.975) than younger respondents (18–21 years old). Respondents who reported constipation (OR = 2.395, 95% CI = 1.494–3.839), drank alcohol (OR = 1.763, 95% CI = 1.114–2.792), often/always delayed urination (OR = 1.738, 95% CI = 1.306–2.313), and/or often/always strained to urinate (OR = 1.433, 95% CI = 1.111–1.849) had greater odds of having UI than respondents who did not have constipation or engage in these behaviors. Conclusions UI is prevalent in young Chinese women who are attending college. These women should be asked and given culturally appropriate information about UI and associated factors that include toileting behaviors.