• Kathryn L Burgio, Shayna D Cunningham, Diane K Newman, Lisa Kane Low, Jesse Nodora, Terri H Lipman, Shelia Gahagan, Heather Klusaritz, Aimee S James, Leslie Rickey, Kimberly S Kenton, Jeni Hebert-Beirne, Beverly Rosa Williams, and Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium.
• Department of Medicine, Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.
• J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2023 Feb 1; 32 (2): 224238224-238.

AbstractObjective: The purpose of this analysis was to explore adolescent and adult women's interest in public health messaging around bladder health and perceptions of its usefulness. Materials and Methods: Directed content analysis of focus group data from the Study of Habits, Attitudes, Realities, and Experiences, which explored adolescent and adult women's experiences, perceptions, beliefs, knowledge, and behaviors related to bladder health across the life course. This article reports an analysis of the "Public Health Messaging" code, which included participants' desire or need for information about bladder health and recommendations for appropriate priority audiences. Results: Forty-four focus groups were conducted with 360 participants organized into six age groups (11-93 years). There was consensus across age groups that more information about the bladder is wanted and needed throughout the life course, as there is currently a lack of reliable educational resources. Information on bladder health was seen as useful and important because it enables people to anticipate negative changes in bladder health and act to prevent these. Several priority audiences were identified based on their risk of developing symptoms, but participants also saw value in educating the general public regardless of risk status. They also recommended education for parents and teachers who are in positions to control bathroom access. Conclusions: Results indicate a uniform desire for information on women's bladder health and a need for more research to develop individual prevention strategies and public health messaging for women of all ages, as well as guidance for organizations with a role in supporting bladder health.

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