Prevalence and Treatment Awareness of Stress Urinary Incontinence in Young Female University Students

Abstract

Background: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is an underrecognized concern in young women, particularly in university populations, leading to impaired quality of life and low treatment-seeking behavior. Despite its clinical and social relevance, limited data exist on the prevalence and treatment awareness of SUI among young females, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of SUI and the level of awareness regarding its treatment options among young university females, and to evaluate the relationship between physical activity, SUI awareness, and urinary incontinence prevalence. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, between November 2023 and February 2024. A purposive sample of 180 female students aged 18–30 years, excluding those with pregnancy, postnatal status, chronic illness, or pelvic surgery, completed a validated, self-administered questionnaire. Primary outcomes were SUI prevalence and treatment awareness. Associations were analyzed using chi-square tests and odds ratios in SPSS v21. Ethical approval was obtained in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration. Results: SUI prevalence was 12.2% (n=22; 95% CI: 7.6–16.8). Only 40.0% (n=72) of participants were aware of treatment options. Physical activity was a significant trigger for SUI symptoms (p<0.0001), yet no significant association was found between awareness and SUI prevalence (OR 0.84, 95% CI: 0.33–2.11; p=0.74). Conclusion: SUI is present in over one in ten young university females, but awareness of effective treatment remains low. Targeted education and preventive interventions are urgently needed to address this gap and promote early self-management in this population.