THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF OLDER NEPALESE WOMEN WITH URINARY INCONTINENCE

Urinary incontinence (UI) poses a significant challenge for women across different cultures, as their diverse perceptions of UI impact their decision-making and choices, which are influenced by personal beliefs and preferences. Although research on women's experiences with urinary incontinence has shown substantial progress, encompassing various cultural contexts, more studies are still needed to examine cultural factors and employ the framework of transcultural nursing theory. Additionally, limited research has explored the experiences of older women with urinary incontinence in Nepal. This descriptive phenomenological study aims to explore the lived experience of older Nepalese women dealing with urinary incontinence. By applying the theory of culture care diversity and universality and employing the Colaizzi process for phenomenological data analysis, this study seeks to interpret the experiences of older Nepalese women living with urinary incontinence. Data collection involved conducting semi-structured interviews with 16 participants aged between 60 and 80 years. Three themes emerged from the data: (1) Interference with daily living, (2) Modification of lifestyle, and (3) Impact on the whole family. The findings underscored the need for effective treatments and support systems to assist women with urinary incontinence in managing their symptoms.