The sexual function and influence of urinary incontinence questionnaire (SF-IUIQ) - assessing sexual function of urinary incontinent women in south Africa

Objective. To develop and psychometrically validate a questionnaire that assesses sexual function of urinary incontinent women in South Africa and the influence of incontinence on their sexual function.Design. A prospective descriptive study.Setting. Urogynaecology and gynaecology outpatient clinics at Tygerberg Hospital, Stellenbosch University, South Africa.Subjects. All patients attending the urogynaecology or gynaecology outpatient clinic at Tygerberg Hospital, who were older than 18 years, not pregnant and could communicate in either Afrikaans or English.Outcome measures. The content validity, reliability (internal consistency) and construct validity (convergent and discriminant validity) of the Sexual Function and Influence of Urinary Incontinence Questionnaire (SF-IUIQ).Results. Of the subjects 33% were not sexually active. Sexual quality of life was significantly influenced by urinary incontinence in 37.7% of individuals. Leakage during sexual activity occurred in 32%.Conclusions. The SF-IUIQ is a reliable and valid measure of sexual function in urinary incontinent women, and of the influence of urinary incontinence on sexual function.