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Help‐seeking among Korean American women with urinary incontinence
Author(s) -
Kang Youngmi,
Kim SukSun
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
international journal of urological nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.184
H-Index - 8
eISSN - 1749-771X
pISSN - 1749-7701
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-771x.2009.01068.x
Subject(s) - medicine , urinary incontinence , help seeking , korean population , quality of life (healthcare) , gerontology , population , descriptive research , scale (ratio) , family medicine , nursing , mental health , psychiatry , environmental health , urology , statistics , physics , mathematics , quantum mechanics
Background: Despite the availability of effective treatments, many women manage their urinary incontinence (UI) silently rather than seeking professional help. Delays in seeking help in effectively managing UI can lead to a worsening of the incontinence and in overall quality of life. Aims: The aim of this study was to explore the help‐seeking behaviour (HSB) among Korean American women with UI. The following research question guied this study: is there any difference in HSB for UI according to severity of UI among Korean American woment with UI?. Methods: 149 community‐dwelling Korean American women who are age 30 years and older and self‐identified as being incontinent were invited to particpate in the study. Data collection was conducted in 12 Korean religious organizations. This study uses a correlation descriptive design by means of interviews. The HSB scale was used to measure the propensity ot help‐seeking. Results: This study showed that the propensity of seeking help among Korean American women was lower than that of general population. It indicated that Korean women cope urinary symptoms nonmedical measures rather seeking professional help. The severity of UI is associated with help‐seeking among Korean American women with UI. Conclusions: Health care providers need to be aware of low rates of seeking care among Korean women for this problem, and the need for further education in this area.