Situational Analysis of Urinary Incontinence Among Pre-Elderly and Elderly Women: A Community-Based Epidemiological Study

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common yet frequently underreported health problem among older women that negatively affects quality of life, psychological well-being, and social participation. However, community-based epidemiological data remain limited, particularly at the local level in Indonesia. This study aimed to describe the occurrence and characteristics of UI among pre-elderly and elderly women participating in a community-based elderly health program in Surakarta, Indonesia. A preliminary community-based cross-sectional assessment was conducted among 32 women aged ≥45 years selected using purposive sampling. UI type was assessed using the Questionnaire for Urinary Incontinence Diagnosis (QUID), while severity and quality-of-life impact were assessed using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF). Of the 32 participants, 21 (65.6%) reported UI. Among participants with UI, mixed urinary incontinence was the most common type (66.7%), followed by urgency urinary incontinence (28.6%) and stress urinary incontinence (4.8%). The proportion of participants with UI tended to increase across age and parity categories, although the observed differences were not statistically significant. These findings indicate a substantial burden of UI within this specific community group and provide preliminary evidence to support further community-based screening, education, and pelvic floor rehabilitation programs.