Experience of the patient's success in facing post-stroke urinary incontinence: the patient's perspective

Objective:Post-stroke urinary incontinence(UI)is one of the sequelae of stroke.This situation affects all aspects of the patient’s life–physically,psychologically,socially,and spiritually.This study aimed to investigate the experience of patients’success in facing a post-stroke UI.Methods:A qualitative study using the Rapid Assessment Procedure(RAP)approach was used in this study.Informants were selected using purposive sampling.In-depth interviews with as many as 8 patients who had recovered from post-stroke UI and living in the greater area of Southeast Sulawesi(Indonesia)were conducted.In-depth interviews were also conducted with 8 caregivers and 2 nurses.Data were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach and interpretation of data was based on Humanbecoming theory and Self-care deficit theory of nursing.Results:Five successful things the patients experienced during post-stroke UI were identified.The five successes were as follows:they provided information to get to know and understand post-stroke UI,followed the procedures to overcome post-stroke UI,conducted self-control exercises and stayed motivated,performed daily activities independently according to ability,and made use of family suppor t and peers’attention.Conclusions:These findings indicated that persistence,belief,independence,and social support(family and peer)made patients to successfully face their post-stroke UI and improved their quality of life.These findings also became the basis for developing a poststroke UI management model based on Humanbecoming theory and Self-care deficit theory of nursing.