Risk Factors for Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) in Postpartum Mothers: An Observational Study in Ubud Village

Abstract

Introduction: The postpartum period is a recovery phase for women to restore the condition of their reproductive organs, accompanied by various physiological changes, including those affecting the pelvic floor muscles. These changes can lead to Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI), a common but often overlooked condition in postpartum women that significantly impacts quality of life. A recent study in Riau reported an SUI prevalence of 8.8%, with multifactorial risk factors contributing to its occurrence. This study aims to identify the risk factors associated with SUI in postpartum mothers in Ubud Village.
Methods: This study involved 93 postpartum mothers who met the inclusion criteria, namely, mothers within one year postpartum registered in Ubud Village. An analytical observational study with a cross-sectional approach was conducted. Participants completed the Questionnaire for Urinary Incontinence Diagnosis (QUID) and a set of questions related to risk factors. QUID was chosen due to its high reliability (0.97) and sensitivity in diagnosing SUI.
Results: The chi-square test revealed a significant association between various risk factors and the occurrence of SUI. Multivariate analysis identified the most dominant factors influencing SUI occurrence, including engaging in exercise for ?12 weeks before delivery (OR=8.5, 95% CI=2.3–31.7), gestational age at delivery <40 weeks (OR=6.8, 95% CI=1.8–26.7), high pre-pregnancy BMI (OR=2.3, 95% CI=1.0–5.0), and cesarean delivery method (OR=0.21, 95% CI=0.1–0.8).
Conclusion: A significant association was found between all risk factors, with exercise for ?12 weeks before delivery having the most significant impact on SUI occurrence. Therefore, this risk factor should be considered in preventive interventions for SUI.

Keywords: postpartum, stress urinary incontinence, risk factors