Abstract
In Japan, elderly disorders and diseases have markedly increased in recent years,
because of rapid aging and an increasing number of older persons. The situation is
creating serious social and community problems. These disorders, particularly dysuria
and urinary incontinence (UI), disturb the quality of life (QOL) in latelife. Few
reports on UI have been published, but precise investigation into the community level
remains to be made. Our presentation is the development, implementation and evaluation
of elderly UI in Kumamoto Prefecture. This study includes 2,304 people (male: 856,
female: 1,448), over 65 years of age, living in two different communities; one is
an urban (K) and the other is a typical rural area (S). The rate of UI was in homebound
elderly persons, male: 4.7%, female: 11.3%, and in nursing home residents, male: 16.2%,
female: 23.2%. The condition of UI was: almost Urinary Urgency in male (61.5%), and
Stress Incontinence (such as, caused by coughing, sneezing, and exercise) in female
(46.3%). The influence of UI on the activity of daily life was investigated. Most
of the male cases were giving concerns for family and community. In contrast, females
hesited to participate in group excursions and outdoor exercise, and had a tendency
to live alone or indoors. However, most persons (81.5%) with UI did not visit a physician.
From this investigation, we conclude that a community health care program and public
support system are essential for proper understanding and solution of the elderly
UI problem.
Keywords
Urinary Incontinence - Quality of Live - Community Health Care
