H. Sandvik et S. Hunskaar, THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF PAD CONSUMPTION AMONG COMMUNITY-DWELLING INCONTINENT WOMEN, Journal of aging and health, 7(3), 1995, pp. 417-426
The aim of the study was to explore the use of incontinence pads among
community-dwelling women in a well-defined area of western Norway (to
tal female population 122,516). In Norway incontinence aids are prescr
ibed by doctors and paid for by the national insurance. Data were coll
ected at local insurance offices and through interviews with an age-st
ratified (20-89 years) random sample of incontinent women. Identified
were 2,991 pad users (1-year period prevalence 2.4%). Prevalence rose
sharply with advancing age, reaching a maximum of 30.1% in the 90+ age
group. Median number of pads used per day was 1.8. Middle-aged women
used fewer and smaller pads than the rest. When compared with the numb
er of pads actually delivered, the incontinent women tended to overest
imate their consumption.