Effect of Continuous Care Model on Self-esteem and Reported practices of postmenopausal Women with Urinary Incontinence

Abstract

Background: Postmenopausal women usually complain of urinary incontinence which negatively impact self-esteem. Aim: This research aimed to evaluate the effect of continuous care model on self-esteem and reported practices of menopausal women with urinary incontinence. Design: A quasi-experimental research (pre/posttest design). Sample: Sixty-eight postmenopausal women. Setting: The present research conducted at obstetric & gynecological outpatient clinic and Urological outpatient clinic at Helwan General Hospital, Egypt. Tools: Three tools were used for data collection: A structured interviewing questionnaire, Rosenberg' Self-Esteem Scale, and self-reported practices questionnaire. Results: After four weeks of the implementation continuous care model, the postmenopausal women’s mean scores of self-esteem were higher than before implementation with a highly statistical difference. In addition, the majority of studied women had satisfactory total self-reported practices score regarding urinary incontinence at post-implementation phases compared to pre-implementation phase. Moreover, a highly statistically-significant positive correlation was found between studied women' total self-esteem score and total knowledge as well as total practices score regarding urinary incontinence before and after continuous care model implementation. Conclusion: The implementation of the continuous care model effectively improved self-esteem and self-reported practices among postmenopausal women experiencing with urinary incontinence. The results supported the research hypotheses. Recommendation: Postmenopausal women are recommended to be provided with printed booklets and brochures containing comprehensive information about urinary incontinence. These informational materials should be readily available in urological, obstetric, and gynecological units.