The effect of toilet behaviors on lower urinary tract symptoms in third trimester pregnant women: A descriptive study

Abstract

This study was carried out to ascertain the effect of toilet behaviors on lower urinary tract infections and symptoms in pregnant women in the last trimester. The study was conducted in the obstetrics and gynecology outpatient clinics at a district state hospital in the Marmara Region. Data collection was carried out face-to-face with 198 third-trimester pregnant women using the participant introduction form, the Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Questionnaire, and the Toileting Behaviors - Women’s Elimination Behaviors Scale. In the study, the mean total scores were 22.71 ± 10.69 for the Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Questionnaire and 52.23 ± 9.81 for the Toileting Behaviors - Women’s Elimination Behaviors Scale. 13.5% of the total variance in lower urinary tract symptoms was explained by toilet behaviors. No significant relationship was found between urinary tract infections and toilet behaviors. Based on these findings, we believe that pregnant women should be informed about the relationship between lower urinary tract symptoms and toileting habits. For future studies, it is recommended that researchers examine the relationship among toilet behaviors, lower urinary tract symptoms, and objectively detected urinary tract infection in pregnant women.