BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Urinary incontinence is a common health problem among elderly population, particularly elderly women, and it is necessary to identify the different risk factors that cause urinary incontinence. The present study was designed to assess this problem among elderly women in Babol and the risk factors associated with it.

METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 590 elderly women over 60 years old in Amirkola were studied using census method. The required data were collected using standard checklists and questionnaires. Any form of involuntary withdrawal of urine, wetting the pad or underwear was considered urinary incontinence.

FINDINGS: In this study, the mean age of subjects was 68.2 ± 6.8 years and 194 out of 590 women (32.9%) had urinary incontinence. The marital status (OR: 0.64 (CI-95% =0.42-0.98), p=0.04), constipation history (OR: 1.63 (CI-95% =0.11-2.39), p=0.01) and use of corticosteroid drugs (OR: 1.7 (CI-95% =1.01-2.95), p=0.05) were directly related to urinary incontinence after matching with other risk factors. However, urinary incontinence in elderly women was not related to factors such as age, obesity, education, number of children, chronic diseases like diabetes, blood pressure and respiratory disorders.

CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, one third of elderly women in Babol suffer from urinary incontinence and unmarriedness, constipation history, and use of corticosteroid drugs increase the possibility of this condition, which necessitates the need for more attention to this problem and its risk factors that have significant emotional effects on elderly women.