A Cross-sectional Study on Urinary Incontinence: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Impact on Quality of Life among Females in Northern Border Region Saudi Arabia

Introduction: Urinary Incontinence (UI) is the involuntary leakage of urine loss that can be objectively confirmed and is a social and hygienic concern. The pathophysiology of UI is influenced by factors such as pregnancy, age, obesity, and weakend pelvic floors. Aim: To evaluate the prevalence of UI, identify assosciated risk factors, and its impact on the quality of life among females. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 1001 females in Department of Physiology, College of Medicine,Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia from March 2025 to May 2025 Northern Saudi Arabia from March 2025 to May 2025, following approval from the local bioethical committee of Northern Border University. An online survey was conveniently distributed via social media. The information was displayed using percentages and frequencies. Independent predictors of UI were identified using binary logistic regression , with a p-value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results: A total of 1001 females were included, with Urge Urinary Incontinence (UUI) being the most common type, reported by 431 participants (43.1%), followed by mixed UI 344 (34.4%)and stress UI 255(25.5%). Significant associations between UUI and various factors, including age, marital status, education, occupation, weight, height, obstetric or surgical history, and the presence of chronic disease (p-value<0.001). Stress UI showed a more modest increase, peaking among obese individuals (59,32.1%). Overall 264 respondents (26.4%) reported a negative impact of UI on social life. Logistic regression analysis identified chronic disease as a highly significant factor, with an Odds Ratio (OR=0.529; p-value<0.001), suggesting more than double the risk of incontinence. Conclusion: Age, marital status, occupation, Body Mass Index (BMI), and chronic disease are significantly associated with UUI. These factors may influence both the risk and severity of symptoms, highlighting the importance of individualised assessment and targeted interventions.