Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) is involuntary leakage of urine on raised intra-abdominal pressure (coughing, sneezing or laughing). Accurate prevalence data is currently unavailable for Southeast Asia; however, it is estimated that up to 20 percent of women in the region may experience the condition at some point in their lives. It is important to note that this figure represents only a fraction of the actual prevalence, as a significant number of affected women remain unregistered or undocumented.

In rural settings, there is a notable discrepancy between the need for and availability of healthcare services. As a consequence, individuals residing in rural areas are often compelled to relocate to cities, which incurs costs such as loss of daily wages and treatment expenses.

Initial treatment especially for mild to moderate SUI involves lifestyle changes like reducing weight, pelvic floor exercises, bladder training. Medical treatment is usually not very effective, though duloxetine tablets in dosage of 20-40 mg daily for few months have been tried with mixed results. Treatment for moderate and severe SUI is usually surgical. However, hospital stay, time to recover, loss of daily wages, financial cost needs to be considered.

Women’s perceptions of urinary incontinence vary widely depending upon a number of factors; region, cultural practices, age, parity, job profile, co-morbidities, access to healthcare, amoung others. However, despite these variations, it is noteworthy to mention that many women in Southeast Asia do not perceive SUI as a symptom or problem requiring intervention. Instead, they view it as a natural consequence of aging, a typical outcome of childbirth, or a related issue linked to obesity. Women’s daily routines, including offering prayers, going to the temple, managing household chores, and maintaining a work-life balance, are intergral aspects of life. Often, these routines take precedence, and urinary incontinence may not necessarily disrupt these activities or prompt immediate healthcare. So when do women in Southeast Asia seek to health services for urinary problems? Obtaining an answer to this question would help improve quality of life, facilitate preventative measures, and create awareness regarding continence in the community.

It is crucial to note, that a 60-70 % improvement in urinary symptoms is needed to improve quality of life significantly.

The prevalence of risk factors for lower urinary tract symptoms in the community also affects their perceptions towards urinary complaints. The disparity in the community explains their different attitude and how behavior is adapted to cope with pelvic floor dysfunction. The community's access to healthcare services for urinary problems is contingent upon multiple factors, including the availability of services, the awareness among healthcare providers regarding the significance of addressing these issues, and the recognition of the potential health impacts on the community if left unaddressed. Additionally, the financial burden on the healthcare system needs to be taken into consideration. Hence, to create awareness among the community and health care professionals, we need to bridge the gap for this service.

Keywords: Regional Disparities, Financial Cost, Cultural practice, Health Assistance

The views expressed in this Society Session are those of the speakers and not necessarily those of the International Continence Society.