Title
Are women's needs being met by specialist health services managing urinary incontinence in the remote Top End NT?
Link to article in PubMed
Author(s)
Bonner A
Boyle JA
Abstract
Urinary incontinence (UI) is likely to be high in Aboriginal women in rural Australia due to risk factors including high body mass index, parity and diabetes. However, UI appears to be under-reported with limited information on whether women access appropriate care. To assess whether women who access specialist gynaecological services in rural and remote Top End Northern Territory (NT) through the specialist outreach program (SONT) are receiving care for UI aligned with best practice. Review of all 1426 SONT referrals in 2012, with audit of management for those women referred for UI or prolapse. Of 1426 SONT referrals, there were 43/1426 (3%) women referred for UI, with 34/43 (79%) attending. Of those referred, 31/43 (72%) were Aboriginal. Of twenty-six women diagnosed with probable stress UI, less than a fifth, 5/26 (19%), were referred to physiotherapy, with 2/5 (40%) attending appointments. Referral occurred for 14/23 (61%) of those suitable for urodynamics but only 6/14 (43%) attended. Just under half of women 7/16 (14%) with stress UI were referred for surgery, with 6/7 (86%) attending. In rural and remote Top End NT, specialist health service management of female UI could be improved by increased provision of current best-practice and an integrated multi-disciplinary team approach with allied health. Under-reporting and under-referral for female UI could be addressed by increasing awareness among community and primary healthcare providers of the problem of female UI and the conservative, medical and surgical treatments available.
Publication information
Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol . 2017 Jun;57(3):351-357. doi: 10.1111/ajo.12601. Epub 2017 Apr 10.
Date Issued
2017-06-01
Type
Journal Article
MESH Subject
Journal Title
The Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology
Permanent link to this record
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