Abstract
Introduction
Urinary incontinence is one of the most important geriatric syndromes. However, in clinical practice it seems to be neglected and there are no studies in the North of Minas Gerais. The aim was to identify the prevalence of urinary incontinence and associated factors for each sex among non-institutionalized elderly.
Methods
A population-based cross-sectional survey conducted in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais. The information was analyzed with the program Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 17.0, with descriptive analysis and, subsequently, bivariate analysis and multiple analysis through logistic regression.
Results
A prevalence of 23.2% was found among elderly men and 31.1% among elderly women. They were associated with urinary incontinence in the elderly: walk with assistance, report of fall in the last year, fragility. Among the elderly women, the associated factors were: negative self-perception of health, arthritis/arthrosis/rheumatism, fragility.
Conclusion
There was a high prevalence of urinary incontinence in the elderly of both sexes. Individual health conditions factors were associated with the occurrence in each sex, evidencing the need for effective assistance that recognizes such specificities.
Keywords:
aged; health of the elderly; urinary incontinence; prevalence