Conservative management, such as pelvic floor muscle training (PMFT), is commonly recommended as first-line therapy for women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). We randomly assigned 245 women with SUI to 12 weeks of circular muscle exercises (Paula method) or PMFT in order to assess whether these approaches are equivalent. End points after 12 weeks included urinary leak as measured by a 1-hour pad test, subjective assessment of incontinence, and quality of life (QOL). Cure was defined as urinary leakage of <1 g. The mean decrease in urinary leakage was 7.9 g (SD 12.1) among women in the Paula group and 8.9 g (SD 18.2) in the PFMT group (90% confidence interval [CI] of between-group difference was -4.68 g to 3.0 g). This did not meet the prespecified criterion for equivalence. There were 15.2% (p = 0.04) more cures in those randomized to the Paula method. Improvement in subjective urinary complaints and QOL was observed in both groups. The study was limited by a dropout rate of 26.6%. Both methods are efficacious in women with SUI. The results suggest superiority of the Paula method in terms of cure rate.

The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) among parous women of child-bearing age and compare their level of knowledge regarding UI to those women without the condition. A convenience sample of women aged 20 to 50 years who had given birth at least once completed questionnaires regarding (1) demographic information, (2) knowledge of UI (PIKQ—Prolapse and Incontinence Knowledge Quiz and PIKQ+), and (3) prevalence of UI (ICIQ-UI questionnaire—International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire–Urinary Incontinence short form). Women who were pregnant or 3 months or less postpartum were excluded from the analysis of the ICIQ-UI. Three hundred twenty-three women, representing 89.7% of those approached, participated in the study. Their mean age was 35.3 ±5.0 years (mean ± SD), all completed the knowledge questionnaire while 260 (80.5%) completed the UI questionnaire. Eighty-three (31.9%) suffered from UI, and most (67.5%) were between 31 and 40 years of age. Participants' level of knowledge about UI was found to be moderate (mean = 7.37 ± 3.6) on the PIKQ+. Knowledge level was correlated with age (P = .017) and with higher levels of education (P < .001). There was a significantly higher level of UI knowledge (PIKQ+ scores) among women with UI (mean = 8.6; SD = 3.01) as compared to those who did not report UI (mean = 7.6; SD =±3.75; P < .001). Approximately one-third of parous women aged 20 to 50 years reported UI. Knowledge related to the condition tends to be moderate, increasing with higher age and education.

Background: Childhood cancer survivors are at risk for recurrence of their primary cancer as well as other secondary site cancers. The survivors are also at increased risk for long-term effects such as chronic illnesses. Health promoting lifestyles are therefore especially important for childhood cancer survivors. The purpose of the study was to describe the health promoting behaviors of childhood cancer survivors and to determine whether these behaviors are associated with demographic and clinical characteristics. This is a descriptive-comparative study that took place in an oncology follow-up clinic in Israel. Sample: Seventy-seven childhood cancer survivors. Tools: Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile 2, questionnaire (interpersonal relationships, spiritual growth, physical activity, nutrition, health responsibility, and stress management), and smoking and alcohol consumption and a demographic–clinical questionnaire. The mean item score was moderate-high. Survivors scored highest on interpersonal relationships and spiritual growth while the lowest scoring activities were physical activity and nutrition. About 30% of the survivors abstained from smoking and alcohol consumption. Women, as opposed to men, were more likely to have higher scores related to nutrition and interpersonal relationships while singles as opposed to those who were married were found to have higher scores related to spiritual growth. Conclusions: Health behaviors associated with interpersonal relationships and spiritual growth were more likely to be performed compared to physical activity, good nutrition, and decreased smoking and alcohol consumption. Special attention should be placed on promoting physical activity and good nutrition among survivors of childhood cancer.