Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39928125›Full record

ArticleInternational urogynecology journal2025

Workload, Availability of Diagnostic Tools, and Treatment Options for Urinary Incontinence and Other Pelvic Floor Disorders in Women: An Online Survey on Practice and Challenges Faced by Providers of Urogynaecological Healthcare in Ten African Countries.

Francis G Muriithi, Corlia Brandt, Dakalo Muavha, Onesmus Byamukama, John Paul Bagala, Monika Vij

Abstract read
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in International urogynecology journal, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Francis G MuriithiDepartment of Urogynaecology, Singleton Hospital, Swansea Bay University Health Board, Swansea, UK. francis.muriithi@nhs.net.ORCID 0000-0002-2314-5611
Corlia BrandtDepartment of Physiotherapy, School of Therapeutic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Dakalo MuavhaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Urogynaecology Unit, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
Onesmus ByamukamaDepartment of Urogynaecology, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Mbarara, Uganda.
John Paul BagalaDepartment of Safe Motherhood, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda.
Monika VijDepartment of Urogynaecology, Singleton Hospital, Swansea Bay University Health Board, Swansea, UK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introduction and hypothesisPelvic dysfunction, including urinary incontinence, significantly impacts the quality of life of affected women, diminishing their freedom and dignity. In many African countries, challenges such as limited funding, competing health priorities and cultural stigma on pelvic health further restrict access to care. This information gap may hinder the effective design and implementation of interventions aimed at improving urogynaecological healthcare delivery. The objective of this study was to estimate the urogynaecological workload, the availability of tools to investigate and treat urinary incontinence in women, and to understand the challenges faced by providers of urogynaecological healthcare in 10 African countries.

methodsA cross-sectional online survey of urogynaecological service providers.

resultsForty-seven responses were analysed, revealing that 40% of gynaecological consultations addressed urogynaecological concerns, with 60% related to prolapse, 40% to bladder issues, 7.5% to bowel problems and 5% to sexual dysfunction. Among bladder issues, 35% involved obstetric fistulas, 22.5% stress urinary incontinence, 12.5% mixed urinary incontinence and 10% overactive bladder. Identified resource gaps included insufficient numbers and training of providers, limited access to diagnostic tools such as urodynamics equipment, and inadequate availability of neuromodulation and advanced surgical options. Key challenges in healthcare delivery were lack of patient awareness and inadequate funding, especially in public-sector facilities.

conclusionGaps exist in the access and delivery of urogynaecological healthcare to patients with pelvic floor dysfunction in sub-Saharan Africa. Specific areas of focus should include patient education and capacity building, including human resources, access to affordable screening and diagnostic tools and technologies, and investment in affordable management options.

Indexed as

GynecologyHealth Services AccessibilityPelvic Floor DisordersUrinary IncontinenceUrologyWorkloadAdultAfricaCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMiddle AgedSurveys and QuestionnairesGlobal urogynecologyPelvic dysfunctionSub-Saharan AfricaUrinary incontinence

Identifiers

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.