Preferences for Public Health Messaging Related to Bladder Health in Adolescent and Adult Women.

Objective: The purpose of this analysis was to explore adolescent and adult women's preferences for the content and delivery of public health messaging around bladder health. Materials and Methods: This was a directed content analysis of focus group data from the Study of Habits, Attitudes, Realities, and Experiences, which explored adolescent and adult women's experiences, perceptions, beliefs, knowledge, and behaviors related to bladder health and function across the life course. This article reports an analysis of the "Public Health Messaging" code, which includes participants' views on what information is needed about bladder health, attributes of messaging, and preferred locations and delivery methods. Results: Forty-four focus groups were conducted with 360 participants (ages 11-93 years) organized into six age groups. Across age groups, participants wanted messaging on maintaining bladder health and preventing bladder problems. They offered suggestions for a wide variety of methods to deliver bladder health information. Ideas for delivery methods fell into three broad categories: (1) traditional in-person modes of delivery, which included individual communication with providers in clinical settings and group-based methods in schools and other community settings where adolescent and adult women naturally gather; (2) internet-based website and social media delivery methods; and (3) static (noninteractive) modes of delivery such as pamphlets. Participants recommended the development of multiple delivery methods to be tailored for specific audiences. Conclusions: These findings can inform development of broad ranging public health messaging tailored to audiences of all ages with a goal of engaging adolescent and adult women across the bladder health risk spectrum.

Need for Public Health Messaging Related to Bladder Health from Adolescence to Advanced Age.

Objective: The purpose of this analysis was to explore adolescent and adult women's interest in public health messaging around bladder health and perceptions of its usefulness. Materials and Methods: Directed content analysis of focus group data from the Study of Habits, Attitudes, Realities, and Experiences, which explored adolescent and adult women's experiences, perceptions, beliefs, knowledge, and behaviors related to bladder health across the life course. This article reports an analysis of the "Public Health Messaging" code, which included participants' desire or need for information about bladder health and recommendations for appropriate priority audiences. Results: Forty-four focus groups were conducted with 360 participants organized into six age groups (11-93 years). There was consensus across age groups that more information about the bladder is wanted and needed throughout the life course, as there is currently a lack of reliable educational resources. Information on bladder health was seen as useful and important because it enables people to anticipate negative changes in bladder health and act to prevent these. Several priority audiences were identified based on their risk of developing symptoms, but participants also saw value in educating the general public regardless of risk status. They also recommended education for parents and teachers who are in positions to control bathroom access. Conclusions: Results indicate a uniform desire for information on women's bladder health and a need for more research to develop individual prevention strategies and public health messaging for women of all ages, as well as guidance for organizations with a role in supporting bladder health.

Toileting Behaviors and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: A Cross-sectional Study of Diverse Women in the United States.

Background: Toileting behaviors are increasingly recognized as factors potentially contributing to development of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Objectives: To examine adult women's toileting behaviors and LUTS across age and race/ethnicity groups and relationships between toileting behaviors and LUTS. Design: Planned secondary analysis of questionnaire data collected in a focus group study on bladder health. Settings: Questionnaires were completed at the conclusion of focus groups conducted in community settings affiliated with seven research centers across the United States. Participants: Community-living women regardless of LUTS status. Methods: Forty-four focus groups were conducted with 360 adolescent and adult cisgender women. After each focus group, participants completed questionnaires to assess toileting behaviors (Toileting Behaviors-Women's Elimination Behaviors Scale (TB-WEB)) and their experience of LUTS (Lower Urinary Tract Symptom Tool), This analysis includes quantitative data from the subgroup of 316 participants who completed the questionnaires. Results: Participants ranged in age from 18-93 years (Mean=50.2 years). A significant effect for age was found for delayed voiding behavior, reported by 76.5% of women ages 18-25 years and 21.9% of those 75+ years (p<0.001). Conversely, reports of premature voiding were lowest in the youngest and higher in the oldest three age groups (p=0.022). Racial/ethnic differences were found for three domains of toileting behavior. Black and Hispanic women expressed a stronger preference for voiding at home rather than away from home (98.9%, 93.5%, respectively) compared to White women (90.4%, p=0.041), were more likely to void prematurely (37.6%, 33.3% vs. 21.2%, p=0.048) and to crouch, squat, or stand rather than sit to void when away from home (69.9%, 58.3% vs. 41.3%, p<0.001). Four toileting behavior domains were significantly associated with LUTS. Premature voiding was associated with any bothersome LUTS (OR=2.5; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.3-4.8) and any bothersome storage LUTS (OR=2.9; CI=1.5-5.5). Delayed voiding was associated with bothersome emptying symptoms (OR=2.8; CI=1.1-6.6). Straining to void was associated with bothersome storage symptoms (OR=2.0; CI=1.0-3.7), bothersome emptying symptoms (OR=3.7; CI=1.9-7.3), and any bothersome LUTS (OR=2.3; CI=1.2-4.3). Preference for non-sitting positions to void when away from home was associated with bothersome emptying symptoms (OR=2.5; CI=1.3-4.8) and any bothersome LUTS (OR=1.8; CI=1.0-3.2). Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for research to understand underpinnings of age and racial/ethnic differences in toileting behaviors and identify mechanisms by which toileting behaviors might influence development of LUTS over time. Understanding causal pathways is important in the development of public health interventions to encourage toileting behaviors that support bladder health.