Perceptions and Needs of Postpartum Women with Urinary Incontinence on Self-Management and Application of a Digital Human: A Qualitative Study.

Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis: Postpartum women with urinary incontinence (UI) frequently struggle to control their UI. By practicing self-management, patients can effectively manage their UI. A digital human could be used to support self-management. In addition to understanding the perception by postpartum women with UI of UI threats, self-management, and application of the digital human, this study attempts to collect related functional needs of the digital human.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were used to recruit 16 postpartum urine leakage-afflicted women who attended a tertiary hospital in Shenzhen, China, in July 2024, to this study. The interview transcripts, based on the traditional content analysis, were summarized and analyzed using the Technology Acceptance Model and the Health Belief Model.

Results: One self-management behavior that postpartum women with UI often reported was seeking health care. Regarding perceived UI threats, these women typically engage in self-management at the social contact level. Patients noted a variety of barriers to self-management. Patients' attitudes toward the digital human assisting with UI self-management were positive and skeptical. Patients characterized their functional needs as a digital human in two areas: access to health care and home self-management. When asked about their intention to use the digital human, patients showed both willingness to try and a lack of interest.

Conclusions: Postpartum women face various challenges with UI self-management, and health care organizations should provide specific support. The digital human can provide necessary assistance. To increase the digital human's applicability, the researchers will gather more patient perceptions and needs in a subsequent step, spanning a wider range of backgrounds.