A multisite focus group study of US adult women's beliefs and assumptions about bladder health and function

Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium

doi:10.1002/nau.25006

A multisite focus group study of US adult women's beliefs and assumptions about bladder health and function

Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium

Family Medicine and Community Health (Twin Cities)

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Aims: This analysis explored and characterized the ideas adult women have about how the bladder works, the assumptions guiding their bladder-related behaviors, and the beliefs they hold about how their behaviors affect bladder health. Methods: This was a directed content analysis of qualitative data from the Study of Habits, Attitudes, Realities, and Experiences, a focus group study conducted at seven United States research centers (July 2017 to April 2018). Participants were 316 adult women organized by four age categories (age range: 18−93 years). Analysis and interpretation focused on the “bladder assumptions and beliefs” code using a transdisciplinary lens and inductive approach. Results: During their focus group discourse, participants exhibited a speculative mode of thinking about bladder health and function characterized by uncertainty about how the bladder works. They described the bladder as a mechanism for cleansing the body of impurities, viewing it as part of a larger interconnected bodily system to enable the body to stay healthy. They saw it as susceptible to anatomical changes, such as those related to pregnancy and aging. The women also postulated perceived relationships between bladder function and several health behaviors, including eating healthy foods, staying hydrated, engaging in physical activity and exercise, and adopting specific toileting and hygiene practices. Conclusions: The findings underscore the importance of guidance from healthcare professionals and systematic community based educational programs for promoting women's understanding about bladder health and empowering them to exert agency to engage in healthy bladder behaviors.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	1590-1600
Number of pages	11
Journal	Neurourology and Urodynamics
Volume	41
Issue number	7
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/nau.25006
State	Published - Sep 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium is supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)—National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) by cooperative agreements [grants U24DK106786, U01 DK106853, U01 DK106858, U01 DK106898, U01 DK106893, U01 DK106827, U01 DK106908, U01 DK106892, U01 DK126045]. The content of this paper is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium Members: Loyola University Chicago—Maywood, IL (U01DK106898) Multi‐Principal Investigators: Linda Brubaker, MD; Elizabeth R. Mueller, MD, MSME; Investigators: Marian Acevedo‐Alvarez, MD; Colleen M. Fitzgerald, MD, MS; Cecilia T. Hardacker, MSN, RN, CNL; Jeni Hebert‐Beirne, PhD, MPH; Missy Lavender, MBA. Northwestern University—Chicago IL (U01DK126045) Multi‐Principal Investigators: Kimberly Sue Kenton, MD; James W. Griffith, PhD; Melissa Simon, MD, MPH. University of Alabama at Birmingham−Birmingham, AL (U01DK106858) Principal Investigator: Alayne D. Markland, DO, MSc; Investigators: Tamera Coyne‐Beasley, MD, MPH, FAAP, FSAHM; Kathryn L. Burgio, PhD; Cora E. Lewis, MD, MSPH; Gerald McGwin, Jr., MS, PhD; Camille P. Vaughan, MD, MS; Beverly Rosa Williams, PhD. University of California San Diego—La Jolla, CA (U01DK106827) Principal Investigator: Emily S. Lukacz, MD; Investigators: Sheila Gahagan, MD, MPH; Daphne Yvette LaCoursiere, MD, MPH; Jesse Nodora, DrPH. University of Michigan—Ann Arbor, MI (U01DK106893) Principal Investigator: Janis M. Miller, PhD, APRN, FAAN; Investigators: Lisa Kane Low, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN. University of Minnesota (Scientific and Data Coordinating Center)—Minneapolis, MN (U24DK106786) Multi‐Principal Investigators: Bernard L. Harlow, PhD; Kyle D. Rudser, PhD; Investigators: Sonya S. Brady, PhD; Haitao Chu, MD, PhD; Cynthia S. Fok, MD, MPH; Peter Scal, PhD; Todd Rockwood, PhD. University of Pennsylvania—Philadelphia, PA (U01DK106892) Multi‐Principal Investigators: Diane K. Newman, DNP; Ariana L. Smith, MD; Investigators: Amanda Berry, MSN, CRNP; Terri H. Lipman, PhD; Heather Klusaritz, PhD, MSW; Ann E. Stapleton, MD; Jean F. Wyman, PhD. Washington University in St. Louis—Saint Louis, MO (U01DK106853) Principal Investigator: Siobhan Sutcliffe, PhD, ScM, MHS; Investigators: Aimee S. James, PhD, MPH; Jerry L. Lowder, MD, MSc; Melanie R. Meister, MD, MSCI. Yale University—New Haven, CT (U01DK106908) Principal Investigator: Leslie M. Rickey, MD, MPH; Investigators: Marie A. Brault, PhD; Deepa R. Camenga, MD, MHS; Shayna D. Cunningham, PhD. Steering Committee Chair: Linda Brubaker, MD. UCSD, San Diego. NIH Program Office: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Division of Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases, Bethesda, MD. NIH Project Scientist: Julia Barthold, MD. Other Acknowledgements: We thank the PLUS Research Consortium research coordinators, focus group moderators, other personnel at each center, and all the women who participated in the SHARE focus groups.

Funding Information:
The Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium is supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)—National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) by cooperative agreements [grants U24DK106786, U01 DK106853, U01 DK106858, U01 DK106898, U01 DK106893, U01 DK106827, U01 DK106908, U01 DK106892, U01 DK126045]. The content of this paper is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium Members: Loyola University Chicago—Maywood, IL (U01DK106898) Multi-Principal Investigators: Linda Brubaker, MD; Elizabeth R. Mueller, MD, MSME; Investigators: Marian Acevedo-Alvarez, MD; Colleen M. Fitzgerald, MD, MS; Cecilia T. Hardacker, MSN, RN, CNL; Jeni Hebert-Beirne, PhD, MPH; Missy Lavender, MBA. Northwestern University—Chicago IL (U01DK126045) Multi-Principal Investigators: Kimberly Sue Kenton, MD; James W. Griffith, PhD; Melissa Simon, MD, MPH. University of Alabama at Birmingham−Birmingham, AL (U01DK106858) Principal Investigator: Alayne D. Markland, DO, MSc; Investigators: Tamera Coyne-Beasley, MD, MPH, FAAP, FSAHM; Kathryn L. Burgio, PhD; Cora E. Lewis, MD, MSPH; Gerald McGwin, Jr., MS, PhD; Camille P. Vaughan, MD, MS; Beverly Rosa Williams, PhD. University of California San Diego—La Jolla, CA (U01DK106827) Principal Investigator: Emily S. Lukacz, MD; Investigators: Sheila Gahagan, MD, MPH; Daphne Yvette LaCoursiere, MD, MPH; Jesse Nodora, DrPH. University of Michigan—Ann Arbor, MI (U01DK106893) Principal Investigator: Janis M. Miller, PhD, APRN, FAAN; Investigators: Lisa Kane Low, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN. University of Minnesota (Scientific and Data Coordinating Center)—Minneapolis, MN (U24DK106786) Multi-Principal Investigators: Bernard L. Harlow, PhD; Kyle D. Rudser, PhD; Investigators: Sonya S. Brady, PhD; Haitao Chu, MD, PhD; Cynthia S. Fok, MD, MPH; Peter Scal, PhD; Todd Rockwood, PhD. University of Pennsylvania—Philadelphia, PA (U01DK106892) Multi-Principal Investigators: Diane K. Newman, DNP; Ariana L. Smith, MD; Investigators: Amanda Berry, MSN, CRNP; Terri H. Lipman, PhD; Heather Klusaritz, PhD, MSW; Ann E. Stapleton, MD; Jean F. Wyman, PhD. Washington University in St. Louis—Saint Louis, MO (U01DK106853) Principal Investigator: Siobhan Sutcliffe, PhD, ScM, MHS; Investigators: Aimee S. James, PhD, MPH; Jerry L. Lowder, MD, MSc; Melanie R. Meister, MD, MSCI. Yale University—New Haven, CT (U01DK106908) Principal Investigator: Leslie M. Rickey, MD, MPH; Investigators: Marie A. Brault, PhD; Deepa R. Camenga, MD, MHS; Shayna D. Cunningham, PhD. Steering Committee Chair: Linda Brubaker, MD. UCSD, San Diego. NIH Program Office: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Division of Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases, Bethesda, MD. NIH Project Scientist: Julia Barthold, MD. Other Acknowledgements: We thank the PLUS Research Consortium research coordinators, focus group moderators, other personnel at each center, and all the women who participated in the SHARE focus groups.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Keywords

adult women
bladder
focus groups
lower urinary tract symptoms
qualitative research

Publisher link

10.1002/nau.25006

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Cite this

@article{f338c340b85a46768729bfaba9a9496a,

title = "A multisite focus group study of US adult women's beliefs and assumptions about bladder health and function",

abstract = "Aims: This analysis explored and characterized the ideas adult women have about how the bladder works, the assumptions guiding their bladder-related behaviors, and the beliefs they hold about how their behaviors affect bladder health. Methods: This was a directed content analysis of qualitative data from the Study of Habits, Attitudes, Realities, and Experiences, a focus group study conducted at seven United States research centers (July 2017 to April 2018). Participants were 316 adult women organized by four age categories (age range: 18−93 years). Analysis and interpretation focused on the “bladder assumptions and beliefs” code using a transdisciplinary lens and inductive approach. Results: During their focus group discourse, participants exhibited a speculative mode of thinking about bladder health and function characterized by uncertainty about how the bladder works. They described the bladder as a mechanism for cleansing the body of impurities, viewing it as part of a larger interconnected bodily system to enable the body to stay healthy. They saw it as susceptible to anatomical changes, such as those related to pregnancy and aging. The women also postulated perceived relationships between bladder function and several health behaviors, including eating healthy foods, staying hydrated, engaging in physical activity and exercise, and adopting specific toileting and hygiene practices. Conclusions: The findings underscore the importance of guidance from healthcare professionals and systematic community based educational programs for promoting women's understanding about bladder health and empowering them to exert agency to engage in healthy bladder behaviors.",

keywords = "adult women, bladder, focus groups, lower urinary tract symptoms, qualitative research",

author = "{Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium} and Williams, {Beverly Rosa} and Burgio, {Kathryn L.} and Jeni Hebert-Beirne and Aimee James and Kimberly Kenton and LaCoursiere, {Daphne Yvette} and Leslie Rickey and Brady, {Sonya S.} and {Kane Low}, Lisa and Newman, {Diane K.}",

note = "Funding Information: The Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium is supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)—National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) by cooperative agreements [grants U24DK106786, U01 DK106853, U01 DK106858, U01 DK106898, U01 DK106893, U01 DK106827, U01 DK106908, U01 DK106892, U01 DK126045]. The content of this paper is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium Members: Loyola University Chicago—Maywood, IL (U01DK106898) Multi‐Principal Investigators: Linda Brubaker, MD; Elizabeth R. Mueller, MD, MSME; Investigators: Marian Acevedo‐Alvarez, MD; Colleen M. Fitzgerald, MD, MS; Cecilia T. Hardacker, MSN, RN, CNL; Jeni Hebert‐Beirne, PhD, MPH; Missy Lavender, MBA. Northwestern University—Chicago IL (U01DK126045) Multi‐Principal Investigators: Kimberly Sue Kenton, MD; James W. Griffith, PhD; Melissa Simon, MD, MPH. University of Alabama at Birmingham−Birmingham, AL (U01DK106858) Principal Investigator: Alayne D. Markland, DO, MSc; Investigators: Tamera Coyne‐Beasley, MD, MPH, FAAP, FSAHM; Kathryn L. Burgio, PhD; Cora E. Lewis, MD, MSPH; Gerald McGwin, Jr., MS, PhD; Camille P. Vaughan, MD, MS; Beverly Rosa Williams, PhD. University of California San Diego—La Jolla, CA (U01DK106827) Principal Investigator: Emily S. Lukacz, MD; Investigators: Sheila Gahagan, MD, MPH; Daphne Yvette LaCoursiere, MD, MPH; Jesse Nodora, DrPH. University of Michigan—Ann Arbor, MI (U01DK106893) Principal Investigator: Janis M. Miller, PhD, APRN, FAAN; Investigators: Lisa Kane Low, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN. University of Minnesota (Scientific and Data Coordinating Center)—Minneapolis, MN (U24DK106786) Multi‐Principal Investigators: Bernard L. Harlow, PhD; Kyle D. Rudser, PhD; Investigators: Sonya S. Brady, PhD; Haitao Chu, MD, PhD; Cynthia S. Fok, MD, MPH; Peter Scal, PhD; Todd Rockwood, PhD. University of Pennsylvania—Philadelphia, PA (U01DK106892) Multi‐Principal Investigators: Diane K. Newman, DNP; Ariana L. Smith, MD; Investigators: Amanda Berry, MSN, CRNP; Terri H. Lipman, PhD; Heather Klusaritz, PhD, MSW; Ann E. Stapleton, MD; Jean F. Wyman, PhD. Washington University in St. Louis—Saint Louis, MO (U01DK106853) Principal Investigator: Siobhan Sutcliffe, PhD, ScM, MHS; Investigators: Aimee S. James, PhD, MPH; Jerry L. Lowder, MD, MSc; Melanie R. Meister, MD, MSCI. Yale University—New Haven, CT (U01DK106908) Principal Investigator: Leslie M. Rickey, MD, MPH; Investigators: Marie A. Brault, PhD; Deepa R. Camenga, MD, MHS; Shayna D. Cunningham, PhD. Steering Committee Chair: Linda Brubaker, MD. UCSD, San Diego. NIH Program Office: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Division of Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases, Bethesda, MD. NIH Project Scientist: Julia Barthold, MD. Other Acknowledgements: We thank the PLUS Research Consortium research coordinators, focus group moderators, other personnel at each center, and all the women who participated in the SHARE focus groups. Funding Information: The Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium is supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)—National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) by cooperative agreements [grants U24DK106786, U01 DK106853, U01 DK106858, U01 DK106898, U01 DK106893, U01 DK106827, U01 DK106908, U01 DK106892, U01 DK126045]. The content of this paper is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium Members: Loyola University Chicago—Maywood, IL (U01DK106898) Multi-Principal Investigators: Linda Brubaker, MD; Elizabeth R. Mueller, MD, MSME; Investigators: Marian Acevedo-Alvarez, MD; Colleen M. Fitzgerald, MD, MS; Cecilia T. Hardacker, MSN, RN, CNL; Jeni Hebert-Beirne, PhD, MPH; Missy Lavender, MBA. Northwestern University—Chicago IL (U01DK126045) Multi-Principal Investigators: Kimberly Sue Kenton, MD; James W. Griffith, PhD; Melissa Simon, MD, MPH. University of Alabama at Birmingham−Birmingham, AL (U01DK106858) Principal Investigator: Alayne D. Markland, DO, MSc; Investigators: Tamera Coyne-Beasley, MD, MPH, FAAP, FSAHM; Kathryn L. Burgio, PhD; Cora E. Lewis, MD, MSPH; Gerald McGwin, Jr., MS, PhD; Camille P. Vaughan, MD, MS; Beverly Rosa Williams, PhD. University of California San Diego—La Jolla, CA (U01DK106827) Principal Investigator: Emily S. Lukacz, MD; Investigators: Sheila Gahagan, MD, MPH; Daphne Yvette LaCoursiere, MD, MPH; Jesse Nodora, DrPH. University of Michigan—Ann Arbor, MI (U01DK106893) Principal Investigator: Janis M. Miller, PhD, APRN, FAAN; Investigators: Lisa Kane Low, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN. University of Minnesota (Scientific and Data Coordinating Center)—Minneapolis, MN (U24DK106786) Multi-Principal Investigators: Bernard L. Harlow, PhD; Kyle D. Rudser, PhD; Investigators: Sonya S. Brady, PhD; Haitao Chu, MD, PhD; Cynthia S. Fok, MD, MPH; Peter Scal, PhD; Todd Rockwood, PhD. University of Pennsylvania—Philadelphia, PA (U01DK106892) Multi-Principal Investigators: Diane K. Newman, DNP; Ariana L. Smith, MD; Investigators: Amanda Berry, MSN, CRNP; Terri H. Lipman, PhD; Heather Klusaritz, PhD, MSW; Ann E. Stapleton, MD; Jean F. Wyman, PhD. Washington University in St. Louis—Saint Louis, MO (U01DK106853) Principal Investigator: Siobhan Sutcliffe, PhD, ScM, MHS; Investigators: Aimee S. James, PhD, MPH; Jerry L. Lowder, MD, MSc; Melanie R. Meister, MD, MSCI. Yale University—New Haven, CT (U01DK106908) Principal Investigator: Leslie M. Rickey, MD, MPH; Investigators: Marie A. Brault, PhD; Deepa R. Camenga, MD, MHS; Shayna D. Cunningham, PhD. Steering Committee Chair: Linda Brubaker, MD. UCSD, San Diego. NIH Program Office: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Division of Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases, Bethesda, MD. NIH Project Scientist: Julia Barthold, MD. Other Acknowledgements: We thank the PLUS Research Consortium research coordinators, focus group moderators, other personnel at each center, and all the women who participated in the SHARE focus groups. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.",

year = "2022",

month = sep,

doi = "10.1002/nau.25006",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "41",

pages = "1590--1600",

journal = "Neurourology and Urodynamics",

issn = "0733-2467",

publisher = "Wiley-Liss Inc.",

number = "7",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - A multisite focus group study of US adult women's beliefs and assumptions about bladder health and function

AU - Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium

AU - Williams, Beverly Rosa

AU - Burgio, Kathryn L.

AU - Hebert-Beirne, Jeni

AU - James, Aimee

AU - Kenton, Kimberly

AU - LaCoursiere, Daphne Yvette

AU - Rickey, Leslie

AU - Brady, Sonya S.

AU - Kane Low, Lisa

AU - Newman, Diane K.

N1 - Funding Information: The Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium is supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)—National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) by cooperative agreements [grants U24DK106786, U01 DK106853, U01 DK106858, U01 DK106898, U01 DK106893, U01 DK106827, U01 DK106908, U01 DK106892, U01 DK126045]. The content of this paper is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium Members: Loyola University Chicago—Maywood, IL (U01DK106898) Multi‐Principal Investigators: Linda Brubaker, MD; Elizabeth R. Mueller, MD, MSME; Investigators: Marian Acevedo‐Alvarez, MD; Colleen M. Fitzgerald, MD, MS; Cecilia T. Hardacker, MSN, RN, CNL; Jeni Hebert‐Beirne, PhD, MPH; Missy Lavender, MBA. Northwestern University—Chicago IL (U01DK126045) Multi‐Principal Investigators: Kimberly Sue Kenton, MD; James W. Griffith, PhD; Melissa Simon, MD, MPH. University of Alabama at Birmingham−Birmingham, AL (U01DK106858) Principal Investigator: Alayne D. Markland, DO, MSc; Investigators: Tamera Coyne‐Beasley, MD, MPH, FAAP, FSAHM; Kathryn L. Burgio, PhD; Cora E. Lewis, MD, MSPH; Gerald McGwin, Jr., MS, PhD; Camille P. Vaughan, MD, MS; Beverly Rosa Williams, PhD. University of California San Diego—La Jolla, CA (U01DK106827) Principal Investigator: Emily S. Lukacz, MD; Investigators: Sheila Gahagan, MD, MPH; Daphne Yvette LaCoursiere, MD, MPH; Jesse Nodora, DrPH. University of Michigan—Ann Arbor, MI (U01DK106893) Principal Investigator: Janis M. Miller, PhD, APRN, FAAN; Investigators: Lisa Kane Low, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN. University of Minnesota (Scientific and Data Coordinating Center)—Minneapolis, MN (U24DK106786) Multi‐Principal Investigators: Bernard L. Harlow, PhD; Kyle D. Rudser, PhD; Investigators: Sonya S. Brady, PhD; Haitao Chu, MD, PhD; Cynthia S. Fok, MD, MPH; Peter Scal, PhD; Todd Rockwood, PhD. University of Pennsylvania—Philadelphia, PA (U01DK106892) Multi‐Principal Investigators: Diane K. Newman, DNP; Ariana L. Smith, MD; Investigators: Amanda Berry, MSN, CRNP; Terri H. Lipman, PhD; Heather Klusaritz, PhD, MSW; Ann E. Stapleton, MD; Jean F. Wyman, PhD. Washington University in St. Louis—Saint Louis, MO (U01DK106853) Principal Investigator: Siobhan Sutcliffe, PhD, ScM, MHS; Investigators: Aimee S. James, PhD, MPH; Jerry L. Lowder, MD, MSc; Melanie R. Meister, MD, MSCI. Yale University—New Haven, CT (U01DK106908) Principal Investigator: Leslie M. Rickey, MD, MPH; Investigators: Marie A. Brault, PhD; Deepa R. Camenga, MD, MHS; Shayna D. Cunningham, PhD. Steering Committee Chair: Linda Brubaker, MD. UCSD, San Diego. NIH Program Office: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Division of Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases, Bethesda, MD. NIH Project Scientist: Julia Barthold, MD. Other Acknowledgements: We thank the PLUS Research Consortium research coordinators, focus group moderators, other personnel at each center, and all the women who participated in the SHARE focus groups. Funding Information: The Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium is supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)—National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) by cooperative agreements [grants U24DK106786, U01 DK106853, U01 DK106858, U01 DK106898, U01 DK106893, U01 DK106827, U01 DK106908, U01 DK106892, U01 DK126045]. The content of this paper is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium Members: Loyola University Chicago—Maywood, IL (U01DK106898) Multi-Principal Investigators: Linda Brubaker, MD; Elizabeth R. Mueller, MD, MSME; Investigators: Marian Acevedo-Alvarez, MD; Colleen M. Fitzgerald, MD, MS; Cecilia T. Hardacker, MSN, RN, CNL; Jeni Hebert-Beirne, PhD, MPH; Missy Lavender, MBA. Northwestern University—Chicago IL (U01DK126045) Multi-Principal Investigators: Kimberly Sue Kenton, MD; James W. Griffith, PhD; Melissa Simon, MD, MPH. University of Alabama at Birmingham−Birmingham, AL (U01DK106858) Principal Investigator: Alayne D. Markland, DO, MSc; Investigators: Tamera Coyne-Beasley, MD, MPH, FAAP, FSAHM; Kathryn L. Burgio, PhD; Cora E. Lewis, MD, MSPH; Gerald McGwin, Jr., MS, PhD; Camille P. Vaughan, MD, MS; Beverly Rosa Williams, PhD. University of California San Diego—La Jolla, CA (U01DK106827) Principal Investigator: Emily S. Lukacz, MD; Investigators: Sheila Gahagan, MD, MPH; Daphne Yvette LaCoursiere, MD, MPH; Jesse Nodora, DrPH. University of Michigan—Ann Arbor, MI (U01DK106893) Principal Investigator: Janis M. Miller, PhD, APRN, FAAN; Investigators: Lisa Kane Low, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN. University of Minnesota (Scientific and Data Coordinating Center)—Minneapolis, MN (U24DK106786) Multi-Principal Investigators: Bernard L. Harlow, PhD; Kyle D. Rudser, PhD; Investigators: Sonya S. Brady, PhD; Haitao Chu, MD, PhD; Cynthia S. Fok, MD, MPH; Peter Scal, PhD; Todd Rockwood, PhD. University of Pennsylvania—Philadelphia, PA (U01DK106892) Multi-Principal Investigators: Diane K. Newman, DNP; Ariana L. Smith, MD; Investigators: Amanda Berry, MSN, CRNP; Terri H. Lipman, PhD; Heather Klusaritz, PhD, MSW; Ann E. Stapleton, MD; Jean F. Wyman, PhD. Washington University in St. Louis—Saint Louis, MO (U01DK106853) Principal Investigator: Siobhan Sutcliffe, PhD, ScM, MHS; Investigators: Aimee S. James, PhD, MPH; Jerry L. Lowder, MD, MSc; Melanie R. Meister, MD, MSCI. Yale University—New Haven, CT (U01DK106908) Principal Investigator: Leslie M. Rickey, MD, MPH; Investigators: Marie A. Brault, PhD; Deepa R. Camenga, MD, MHS; Shayna D. Cunningham, PhD. Steering Committee Chair: Linda Brubaker, MD. UCSD, San Diego. NIH Program Office: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Division of Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases, Bethesda, MD. NIH Project Scientist: Julia Barthold, MD. Other Acknowledgements: We thank the PLUS Research Consortium research coordinators, focus group moderators, other personnel at each center, and all the women who participated in the SHARE focus groups. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

PY - 2022/9

Y1 - 2022/9

N2 - Aims: This analysis explored and characterized the ideas adult women have about how the bladder works, the assumptions guiding their bladder-related behaviors, and the beliefs they hold about how their behaviors affect bladder health. Methods: This was a directed content analysis of qualitative data from the Study of Habits, Attitudes, Realities, and Experiences, a focus group study conducted at seven United States research centers (July 2017 to April 2018). Participants were 316 adult women organized by four age categories (age range: 18−93 years). Analysis and interpretation focused on the “bladder assumptions and beliefs” code using a transdisciplinary lens and inductive approach. Results: During their focus group discourse, participants exhibited a speculative mode of thinking about bladder health and function characterized by uncertainty about how the bladder works. They described the bladder as a mechanism for cleansing the body of impurities, viewing it as part of a larger interconnected bodily system to enable the body to stay healthy. They saw it as susceptible to anatomical changes, such as those related to pregnancy and aging. The women also postulated perceived relationships between bladder function and several health behaviors, including eating healthy foods, staying hydrated, engaging in physical activity and exercise, and adopting specific toileting and hygiene practices. Conclusions: The findings underscore the importance of guidance from healthcare professionals and systematic community based educational programs for promoting women's understanding about bladder health and empowering them to exert agency to engage in healthy bladder behaviors.

AB - Aims: This analysis explored and characterized the ideas adult women have about how the bladder works, the assumptions guiding their bladder-related behaviors, and the beliefs they hold about how their behaviors affect bladder health. Methods: This was a directed content analysis of qualitative data from the Study of Habits, Attitudes, Realities, and Experiences, a focus group study conducted at seven United States research centers (July 2017 to April 2018). Participants were 316 adult women organized by four age categories (age range: 18−93 years). Analysis and interpretation focused on the “bladder assumptions and beliefs” code using a transdisciplinary lens and inductive approach. Results: During their focus group discourse, participants exhibited a speculative mode of thinking about bladder health and function characterized by uncertainty about how the bladder works. They described the bladder as a mechanism for cleansing the body of impurities, viewing it as part of a larger interconnected bodily system to enable the body to stay healthy. They saw it as susceptible to anatomical changes, such as those related to pregnancy and aging. The women also postulated perceived relationships between bladder function and several health behaviors, including eating healthy foods, staying hydrated, engaging in physical activity and exercise, and adopting specific toileting and hygiene practices. Conclusions: The findings underscore the importance of guidance from healthcare professionals and systematic community based educational programs for promoting women's understanding about bladder health and empowering them to exert agency to engage in healthy bladder behaviors.

KW - adult women

KW - bladder

KW - focus groups

KW - lower urinary tract symptoms

KW - qualitative research

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U2 - 10.1002/nau.25006

DO - 10.1002/nau.25006

M3 - Article

C2 - 35819129

AN - SCOPUS:85133900882

SN - 0733-2467

VL - 41

SP - 1590

EP - 1600

JO - Neurourology and Urodynamics

JF - Neurourology and Urodynamics

IS - 7

ER -