A Scoping Review of Quantitative Assessments of Women’s Bladder Health Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: Background: To determine the need for an instrument to measure knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs (KAB) regarding bladder health for use in a population-based study of community-dwelling women, we performed a scoping review of the extant literature focusing on studies utilizing survey methodology to characterize bladder health KAB. Objectives: To synthesize quantitative studies on women’s KAB regarding bladder health and characterize their survey instruments. Methods: A systematic search in Ovid Medline was conducted for articles published from January 1990 through April 2024. We included quantitative studies that used questionnaires to assess adolescent and adult women’s bladder health KAB. Titles, abstracts, and full-text articles were screened, followed by data extraction of key study elements, questionnaire items, and quality. Results: We identified 83 articles across seven topic areas. Studies were conducted in 26 countries in clinically (52%) and community-based (47%) settings. The majority (74%) used cross-sectional designs. Most studies used investigator-designed instruments ( n = 36), the Prolapse and Incontinence Knowledge Questionnaire ( n = 20), Urinary Incontinence Quiz ( n = 6), Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice ( n = 5), and the Urinary Incontinence Knowledge Scale ( n = 4). The 33,444 respondents generally had limited knowledge of urinary incontinence. Although awareness of pelvic floor muscle exercises was high, respondents often could not articulate performance or indications. Few studies assessed bladder health and function, and there were limited data on attitudes and beliefs. Conclusions: There is some evidence regarding women’s knowledge of bladder and pelvic floor dysfunctions, particularly urinary incontinence, but less is known about women’s knowledge of other bladder health topics. Even fewer data exist on bladder health attitudes and beliefs. Survey instruments that comprehensively assess bladder health are needed.
Source: Journal of Women s Health
Language: English
Subfield: Rheumatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funders: Yale University, University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, University of Minnesota, Loyola University Chicago, National Institutes of Health, University of California, San Diego, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Office of Research on Women's Health
Awards: The Truly Healthy Bladder 2: Understanding Normal As A Pathway To Prevention Of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms In Women, G1128300740, Penn+Plus Clinical Research Center, NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY PLUS CLINICAL SITE, Pathways to Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Prevention in Adolescent and Adult Women., Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium Yale Clinical Research Center, G4983674564, G593126482, Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium Scientific and Data Coordinating Center, Prevention of LUTS: Bladder Health Clinical Center, UC San Diego Site, G6764930405, G7061091857, Bladder health promotion and LUTS prevention inadolescent and adult women across the life course, PLUS Loyola Clinical Center, G7797304306, G8087389891, G8484609832
OpenAlex ID: W4411404310