A proposed theoretical model ofhelp-seeking among Korean-American women with urinaryincontinence

There is no integrated theoretical model explaining help-seeking for urinary incontinence (UI) that links individual factors to socio-cultural and systemic factors among Korean-American women. The purpose of this article was to develop a theoretical model derived from a systemic perspective to explain the help-seeking among Korean-American women with UI. The Behavioural Model for Vulnerable Populations derived from a systemic perspective was adapted to develop a theoretical model. Individual factors (i.e. biological risk factors, health beliefs, social structure, income, a regular source of health care and perceived need), systemic factors (i.e. social support and transportation), and unique cultural factors (i.e. acculturation, family tradition and authority, and the preference of a health care provider) were included in the theoretical model. A proposed theoretical model in this article will give an opportunity to understand the relationships among factors that influence to help-seeking among Korean-American women with UI. This will be helpful to design culturally competent UI care intervention for Korean-American women.