Does socioeconomic status explain racial differences in urinary incontinence knowledge?

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to discover whether urinary incontinence knowledge differs between racial/ethnic groups. If incontinence knowledge differs between racial/ethnic groups, is the difference explained by socioeconomic status (SES). STUDY DESIGN: In this cross-sectional study, 212 women from 3 counties in California were interviewed by telephone. Urinary incontinence knowledge was measured by an Incontinence Quiz. SES was calculated. Race was categorized as white or minority (non-Hispanic black, Hispanic, and other). RESULTS: White women scored better than minority women on the Incontinence Quiz (6.16 +/- 2.86 vs 5.46 +/- 2.66, P=.071). Higher SES was significantly associated with higher Incontinence Quiz total score (r=0.177, P=.010). Racial differences in Incontinence Quiz total score no longer trended toward significance after adjusting for SES in multivariable analysis. Race/ethnicity and SES were analyzed for association with each question of the Incontinence Quiz CONCLUSION: Socioeconomic status explains racial differences in total urinary incontinence knowledge. Consideration of socioeconomic status may improve the effectiveness of urinary incontinence educational programs.