The Prevalence and Factors Affecting Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Young Female University Students

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors associated with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) among female university students. This cross‐sectional survey study included 397 female university students aged 18 years and older. Participants completed self‐administered questionnaires that assessed sociodemographic and LUTS characteristics, as well as the Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (BFLUTS) Questionnaire. The study found that the mean age of the students was 20.89 ± 4.02 years. Among the female students, 37% ( n : 147) did not experience urinary incontinence (UI), while 25.4% ( n : 101) experienced stress UI. The BFLUTS total score was low, with a mean of 9.63 ± 6.49. Risk factors associated with LUTS in female university students include smoking, presence of chronic disease and chronic constipation, cleaning from front to back after toileting, frequent urinary tract infections, poor toilet hygiene, enuresis as a child and maternal history of UI. It has been determined that female university students experience a considerable level of LUTS. To prevent the development of negative symptoms in the future, it is important to identify the associated risk factors and increase knowledge and awareness of the problem.