Quality of life of Lithuanian women in the postpartum period after the intervention of urinary incontinence correction methods

Abstract

Introduction: Urinary incontinence negatively affects the quality of life. Childbirth is one of the major risk factors for urinary incontinence. There is evidence that strengthening the pelvic floor and core muscles can be an effective means in correcting urinary incontinence, but it is not clear how the correction affects women's quality of life in the postpartum period. The aim of the study is to determine the effect of urinary incontinence correction on women's quality of life in the postpartum period. Methods: Permission to conduct the study was obtained from the Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution Department of Rehabilitation. A quantitative study was carried out. Quality of life assessment - Quality of life due to urinary incontinence questionnaire. SPSS was used for statistical analysis of research data. 52 women participated in the study, 18-45 years old, who gave birth vaginally 6-8 weeks ago. Participants were randomly divided into intervention (n=25) and control (n=27) groups. At the beginning and end of the study, quality of life was assessed with the I-QoL questionnaire. Results: Results improved in both groups. The quality of life of the intervention group increased by 9.08±8.56 points (p< 0.05). The quality of life of the control group increased by 0.96±2.26 points (p< 0.05). The results of the intervention group are better than the control group, a statistically significant difference was found between the groups (p< 0.05). Conclusions: After the application of urinary incontinence correction methods, the quality of life remains reduced in postpartum women.