KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE FOR OVERACTIVE BLADDER CARE AMONG WOMEN IN SAUDI ARABIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Introduction:Overactive bladder (OAB) is adversely affecting the health and lives of individuals at a higher extent globally. Its symptoms can also affect the people's social, occupational, psychological, physical and domestic aspects of life. Therefore, the study aims to assess the knowledge. attitude and the impact of symptoms of incontinence on quality of women's life in Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A Cross-sectional study was used to assess the knowledge and attitude of the selected population. Questionnaires was based on information of the participants towards overactive bladder and assess the impact of. symptoms of incontinence on quality of their life by using the ICIQ-L-7 Short Form. A statistical analysis was used to examine the questionnaires and a chi-square test was used. Discussion: The knowledge level among women patients of Saudi Arabia was observed to be weak with (56.1%) whereas, the level of attitude was observed to be average with (56.5%). A significant association between age and attitude (P-value=0.000) can be seen. Knowledge plays an essential role in constructing patient's attitude towards the perceived behavioral control and subjective norms. In contrast with the present study, majority of the women do not prefer to discuss their incontinence problem with the health care providers. Conclusion: The study suggested that a communication campaign should be initiated by the government of Saudi Arabia to enhance the knowledge and attitude of female patients with OAB.