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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Background: Postpartum urinary incontinence (PUI) occurs in 30–33% of individuals after their pregnancy, and has a detrimental impact on quality of life. Although common, PUI carries social stigma and this can affect patient behaviors, including not revealing symptoms and seeking appropriate care. Purpose: To summarize the causes of PUI stigma and its implications on health behaviors and outcomes. Methods: A scoping review was performed. The search was carried out on multiple search engines focusing on the postpartum period, urinary incontinence, and stigma. Data were extracted and mapped to identify causal factors of postpartum UI stigma and implications on outcomes and behaviors. Results: Twelve studies were included in this review. The main sources of PUI stigma were community values that negatively perceive urinary leakages as unclean and as lacking bodily control, along with self-stigma where participants seemed to be directing stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding PUI towards themselves. All studies emphasized that PUI was associated with feelings of embarrassment and shame, and this decreased the likelihood of discussing care options with healthcare providers. Conclusions: Moving forward, it is necessary to further understand PUI stigma from lived experience, including applying an intersectional approach to capture potential cultural nuances. Healthcare providers should be aware that PUI stigma could reduce patient communication, and therefore, the provider may need to initiate an effective and sensitive dialogue.
Description
Keywords
Postpartum Stigma Urinary incontinence Scoping review
Citation
Cox J, Sánchez-Polán M, Mota P, Barakat R, Nagpal T. A scoping review exploring stigma associated with postpartum urinary incontinence. In: 17th International Congress of Behavioral Medicine – From local to global: behavior, climate and health, Sheraton Wall Centre Hotel, Vancouver (Canada), August 23-26, 2023. Int J Behav Med. 2023;30(Suppl 1):S127.