Abstract
BACKGROUND: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs) are increasingly reported more frequently in females, negatively impacting their lives. This study identified the prevalence of urinary symptoms among females in eastern Uttar Pradesh using the International Consultation on Incontinence Modular Questionnaire on Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (ICIQ-FLUTS) questionnaire. AIMS: This research aimed to determine the prevalence of LUTS in females in eastern Uttar Pradesh. METHODS: The study involved a one-step sampling approach for surveying adolescents and young girls (11-24 years) in eastern Uttar Pradesh from different primary and secondary schools and colleges. The ICIQ-FLUTS questionnaire was used to evaluate LUTS over the last 4 weeks. Scores ranged from 0 to 48, and SPSS version 25.0 was used for descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests to analyze symptom prevalence and categorical relationships. RESULTS: According to our study, nocturia and urgency were more prevalent in all age groups, affecting 66.1% to 72.3% and 69.7% to 68.9%, respectively. Urge urinary incontinence varies from 25.0% in early adolescence to 24.6% in late adolescence. Urban areas residents reported more urgency (65.3%) and bladder pain (42.8%), while rural areas residents had higher incidences of frequent incontinence (49.6%) and nocturia (77.4%). In addition, Hindus had the most frequent levels of LUTS, especially for urgency (60.7%) and nocturia (70.3%). CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights the high prevalence of LUTS among adolescents and young females and differences in LUTS among different demographics in Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Symptoms increase as age progresses. The urban population showed higher LUTS rates than rural areas, and religious affiliation also impacts symptom prevalence.