The Prevalence of Urinary Incontinence, Knowledge and Practice of Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Among Female Recruits in Basic Training

Objective: To describe the prevalence, and severity of urinary incontinence (UI) among female recruits during basic training and their knowledge and practice of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT). Furthermore, to determine if there is a relationship between the severity of UI and PFMT knowledge and practice. Methods: This correlational study utilized a demographic and health questionnaire, a UI questionnaire (International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form [ICIQ-SF]), and a PFMT questionnaire-Short version of the Patient-reported Outcome Measures [PFMT-P]). Results: The study included 349 female recruits with a mean age of 18.17 (± 0.390). The prevalence of UI was 26.7%, with a low mean of 2.03 (± 3.893) on the ICIQ-SF. PFMT knowledge level was moderate, 1.46 (± 0.790), and the mean practice of PFMT was low, 2.51(± 1.180). No significant correlation was found between the ICIQ-SF score and the level of knowledge, r_s = −0.09, P = .092. There was a weak but significant correlation between the ICIQ-SF score and PFMT practice, r_s = 0.170, P = .003. Conclusion: A little more than a quarter of the female recruits reported UI with a low severity. A relationship was found between UI and PFMT practice.