OBJECTIVES: to assess the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) in the third trimester of gestation and to identify variables associated with UI during this period. METHODS: a crosssectional study was carried out with 242 pregnant women near to giving birth at the Carmela Dutra Maternity Hospital, in the Brazilian city of Florianópolis. The study covered socio-demographic factors, clinical, and gynecological and obstetric histories and related issues. The evaluation of urinary incontinence was carried out using the Short Form ICIQ. The data were analyzed using the chi-squared test and MannWhitney's U, with p<0.05. RESULTS: the prevalence of UI in the third trimestre of gestation was of 59.5% (n=144), and the variables associated with this condition during this period were: age (p<0.019), number of pregnancies (p=0.021), marital status (living with partner) (p=0.032), constipation prior to pregnancy (p=0.013), chronic bronchitis (p=0.011), UI prior to pregnancy (p=0.013) and symptoms of depression (p=0.049). CONCLUSIONS: even with the care available and the spread of measures to prevent UI, it is still highly prevalent, indicating that little importance has been given to prevention.
Urinary incontinence; Pregnancy; Prevalence; Risk factors
