Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of pregnant and postpartum women regarding stress urinary incontinence

Abstract This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of pregnant and postpartum women regarding stress urinary incontinence. Conducted in Suzhou from January to March 2024, the cross-sectional study involved 476 participants, predominantly pregnant women (81.3%). Data we...

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Main Authors: Qin Dong, Shenxian Wan, Ruihua Wang, Sanshan Guo, Hong Shen, Ningjuan Wang, Wenting Cai, Luxi Cai, Wei Zhao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09798-y
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author Qin Dong
Shenxian Wan
Ruihua Wang
Sanshan Guo
Hong Shen
Ningjuan Wang
Wenting Cai
Luxi Cai
Wei Zhao
author_facet Qin Dong
Shenxian Wan
Ruihua Wang
Sanshan Guo
Hong Shen
Ningjuan Wang
Wenting Cai
Luxi Cai
Wei Zhao
author_sort Qin Dong
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of pregnant and postpartum women regarding stress urinary incontinence. Conducted in Suzhou from January to March 2024, the cross-sectional study involved 476 participants, predominantly pregnant women (81.3%). Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires, covering demographic characteristics and KAP scores. Findings revealed median scores: knowledge 20.00 [12.00, 28.00] (range: 0–44), attitudes 21.00 [19.75, 24.00] (range: 8–40), and practices 26.00 [22.00, 31.00] (range: 8–40). Structural equation modeling (SEM) showed knowledge directly influenced attitudes (β = -0.153, p < 0.001), while both knowledge (β = 0.522, p < 0.001) and attitudes (β = -0.128, p = 0.004) significantly impacted practices. Moreover, knowledge indirectly affected practices via attitudes (β = 0.020, p = 0.031). Multivariate logistic regression indicated that higher knowledge scores (OR = 1.101, p < 0.001) and higher education levels were associated with proactive practices. The results highlighted inadequate knowledge and negative attitudes among participants. Consequently, it is vital to implement targeted educational programs aimed at improving understanding and attitudes towards stress urinary incontinence in pregnant and postpartum women, enhancing their self-management behaviors.
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spelling doaj-art-c110ea3e0c364e4aae72e924b91c56c62025-08-20T03:05:22ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-011511910.1038/s41598-025-09798-yKnowledge, attitudes, and practices of pregnant and postpartum women regarding stress urinary incontinenceQin Dong0Shenxian Wan1Ruihua Wang2Sanshan Guo3Hong Shen4Ningjuan Wang5Wenting Cai6Luxi Cai7Wei Zhao8Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Suzhou Research Center of Medical School, Suzhou Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing UniversityDepartment of obstetrics, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversityDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversityDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Suzhou Research Center of Medical School, Suzhou Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing UniversityDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Suzhou Research Center of Medical School, Suzhou Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing UniversityDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Suzhou Research Center of Medical School, Suzhou Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing UniversityDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Suzhou Research Center of Medical School, Suzhou Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing UniversityDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Suzhou Research Center of Medical School, Suzhou Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing UniversityNursing Department, Suzhou Research Center of Medical School, Suzhou Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing UniversityAbstract This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of pregnant and postpartum women regarding stress urinary incontinence. Conducted in Suzhou from January to March 2024, the cross-sectional study involved 476 participants, predominantly pregnant women (81.3%). Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires, covering demographic characteristics and KAP scores. Findings revealed median scores: knowledge 20.00 [12.00, 28.00] (range: 0–44), attitudes 21.00 [19.75, 24.00] (range: 8–40), and practices 26.00 [22.00, 31.00] (range: 8–40). Structural equation modeling (SEM) showed knowledge directly influenced attitudes (β = -0.153, p < 0.001), while both knowledge (β = 0.522, p < 0.001) and attitudes (β = -0.128, p = 0.004) significantly impacted practices. Moreover, knowledge indirectly affected practices via attitudes (β = 0.020, p = 0.031). Multivariate logistic regression indicated that higher knowledge scores (OR = 1.101, p < 0.001) and higher education levels were associated with proactive practices. The results highlighted inadequate knowledge and negative attitudes among participants. Consequently, it is vital to implement targeted educational programs aimed at improving understanding and attitudes towards stress urinary incontinence in pregnant and postpartum women, enhancing their self-management behaviors.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09798-yKnowledgeAttitudePracticePregnant womenMaternityStress urinary incontinence
spellingShingle Qin Dong
Shenxian Wan
Ruihua Wang
Sanshan Guo
Hong Shen
Ningjuan Wang
Wenting Cai
Luxi Cai
Wei Zhao
Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of pregnant and postpartum women regarding stress urinary incontinence
Scientific Reports
Knowledge
Attitude
Practice
Pregnant women
Maternity
Stress urinary incontinence
title Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of pregnant and postpartum women regarding stress urinary incontinence
title_full Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of pregnant and postpartum women regarding stress urinary incontinence
title_fullStr Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of pregnant and postpartum women regarding stress urinary incontinence
title_full_unstemmed Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of pregnant and postpartum women regarding stress urinary incontinence
title_short Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of pregnant and postpartum women regarding stress urinary incontinence
title_sort knowledge attitudes and practices of pregnant and postpartum women regarding stress urinary incontinence
topic Knowledge
Attitude
Practice
Pregnant women
Maternity
Stress urinary incontinence
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09798-y
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