Research Report Abstracts - Gesundheit

eS42
ogy and for the physiotherapists in planning their preventive
programs.
Keywords: Proprioceptive accuracy; Flexibility; explosive
strength
Funding acknowledgements: This study was not funded by
any organization.
Ethics approval: The study was approved by The Ethics
Committee of Marmara University; Date: 26.01.2007. No.
B.30.2.MAR,0.01.00.02/AEK-620.
Research Report Platform Presentation
Number: RR-PL-3916 Wednesday 22 June 12:00
RAI: Elicium D201-202
THE PREVALENCE OF URINARY INCONTINENCE
IN WOMEN IN OMAN
Briffa N. 1,2 , Al Busaidi K. 1,2 , Center J. 3,4
1School of Physiotherapy, Curtin University, Perth,
Australia, 2Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute,
Curtin University, Perth, Australia, 3Garvan Institute of
Medical Research, Sydney, Australia, 4St Vincent’s Hospital,
University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the
prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) in Omani women,
the impact it has on their lives and whether they seek care for
this condition.
Relevance: Urinary incontinence is common among women
world wide, however, most data is from white women in
developed nations. Prevalence and risk factors in Oman are
unknown. In Oman the role of physiotherapists in relation
to continence and women’s health is not widely recognised
despite good evidence that physiotherapy treatments are
effective for UI. Establishing the prevalence of UI among
Omani women and the impact it has on their daily lives will
inform and justify the development of health education and
treatment programs including physiotherapy.
Participants: 800 community dwelling Muslim women aged
18 years and above; mean age. The sample included women
from urban and rural areas.
Methods: This study was cross-sectional in design. Participants
were recruited door-to-door using a stratified
household-based sampling method that incorporated all eight
regions of the country. Data were collected using a valid
and reliable questionnaire developed for the study. Interviews
were used in preference to self completion of the questionnaire
as a substantial proportion of women in Oman are
illiterate. Participants were interviewed in English or Arabic
according to their preference.
Analysis: Data were summarized using descriptive statistics.
Results: Response rate was 99%. Forty-three percent of the
women did not understand the term UI until it was explained.
Overall, 43% had UI; 23% stress UI; 3% urge UI and 17%
mixed UI. In those affected, symptoms were moderate to
severe in 25% and bothersome in 65% but only 20% sought
care. Reasons for failing to seek care were lack of awareness
it could be treated (53%); embarrassment (17.5%) or that it
was not considered a big problem (12.5%).
Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of UI among
Omani women. Although the majority of those affected found
the condition bothersome, the level of care seeking was low.
Implications: At present in Oman continence physiotherapy
services are very limited and only available in the capital
city Muscat. The scope of the problem of UI identified in
this study suggests the need for more physiotherapy services
specializing in this area and better health education about UI
so that more women are aware that this disabling condition
can be treated effectively.
Keywords: Urinary incontinence; Women’s health; Prevalence
Funding acknowledgements: United Nations Population
Fund, Sultan Qaboos University.
Ethics approval: The study was approved by the Human
Research Ethics Committee (HR 41/2007) at Curtin University.
Research Report Poster Display
Number: RR-PO-206-5-Tue Tuesday 21 June 13:00
RAI: Exhibit Halls2&3
EFFECTS OF TRACTION AND RETRACTION
APPROACHES ON THE COMPROMISED SPINAL
ROOT IN PATIENTS WITH SUB-ACUTE AND
CHRONIC CERVICAL RADICULOPATHY
AlAbdulwahab S.
King Saud University, Rehabilitation Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi
Arabia
Purpose: To study the effects of traction and retraction on the
neurophysiology of the compromised nerve root in patients
with sub-acute and chronic cervical radiculopathies.
Relevance: Traction and retraction approaches have
been routinely prescribed for patients with radiculopathy.
Although, radiculopathy causes nerve root dysfunction, there
have been no objective comprehensive neurophysiological
studies determine the efficacy of traction and retraction on
the compromised nerve root.
Participants: 80 patients with unilateral sub-acute and
chronic cervical radiculopathy participated in this study.
Methods: Patients were divided into two groups. The 1st
group included 40 patients with sub-acute/chronic cervical
radiculopathy received cervical retraction exercise. The 2nd
group included 40 patients with sub-acute/chronic cervical
radiculopathy treated with manual traction. Flexor carp radials
latency and amplitude were recorded from the involved
and non-involved sides before and after the intervention programs.