[Use of devices for urinary incontinence among the elderly of the basic health area of Cabra (Córdoba)].

AIMS

To study the proportion and characteristics of elderly people who use aids for urinary incontinence, and the economic cost of pads.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

INTERVENTIONS

A specific questionnaire on urinary incontinence and Barthel and Lawton indexes; and economic analysis of the number of pads used.

LOCATION

Basic Health Zone of Cabra (Córdoba).

PATIENTS

827, among a total of 5139 > or = 65 years-old subjects, by means of a random sampling, classified in age groups.

MEASUREMENTS

Two sources of data were used: a home health interview gathering information about the use of aids; the register which controls the prescription of pads in the Basic Health Zone of Cabra.

MAIN RESULTS

Urinary incontinence was detected in 36% of elderly people. Sixty-three percent of the incontinent people used some sort of aid, 8.1% used pads and 2.9% used an urethral catheter. The use of aids was related to advanced age, female gender and functional dependence. In 1996, the cost of the pads was 19,416,298 pesetas and 51,659 pesetas per incontinent person.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall prevalence of the use of aids was greater than or similar to that of other studies whereas the use of pads was less. During 1996 the average cost of the pads per elderly person amounted to 49% of the theoretical maximum cost permitted by the health authority.