Lower urinary system symptoms and affecting factors in female students staying in a dormitory

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the lower urinary system symptoms and the factors affecting it among young women living in the dormitory. METHODS: This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study. A total of 355 women attending education in a public university were interviewed, considering a 95% confidence interval. Data were collected using the descriptive form and the Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Scale. Necessary permissions were obtained, and appropriate analyses were carried out using the SPSS-22 program. RESULTS: Findings showed that 71.6% of women have problems with urine storage, 29.7% have urinating disorders, 18.4% have urinary incontinence, 8.8% have sexual life problems, and 37.2% have symptoms related to quality of life. Factors affecting the symptoms include history of chronic disease (such as neurological diseases and depression), smoking, low income, history of urinary incontinence in childhood, the presence of symptoms in the mother or family history, the presence and number of urinary tract infections, chronic constipation, and not paying attention to toilet cleaning. CONCLUSION: It is recommended to carry out community-based studies to raise awareness of women, support priority risk groups by screening, and increase the number of specialist healthcare personnel for quality care and treatment.