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Review
. 2023 Jun;42(5):1055-1067.
doi: 10.1002/nau.25168. Epub 2023 Mar 11.

Development of a tool to assess bladder health knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs (BH-KAB)

Daphne Yvette LaCoursiere  1 , Lisa Kane Low  2 , Sara Putnam  3 , Jean F Wyman  4 , Diane K Newman  5 , Shayna Cunningham  6 , Leslie Rickey  7 , Amanda Berry  8 , Sheila Gahagan  9 , Camille P Vaughan  10   11 , Oluwateniola Brown  12 , Sonya S Brady  13 ; Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) Research Consortium
Affiliations
Review

Development of a tool to assess bladder health knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs (BH-KAB)

Daphne Yvette LaCoursiere et al. Neurourol Urodyn. 2023 Jun.

Abstract

Introduction: Few instruments measure knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs (KAB) related to bladder health. Existing questionnaires have predominantly focused on KAB related to specific conditions such as urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, and other pelvic floor disorders. To address this literature gap, the Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (PLUS) research consortium developed an instrument that is being administered in the baseline assessment of the PLUS RISE FOR HEALTH longitudinal study.

Methods: The bladder health knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs (BH-KAB) instrument development process consisted of two phases, item development and evaluation. Item development was guided by a conceptual framework, review of existing KAB instruments, and a review of qualitative data from the PLUS consortium Study of Habits, Attitudes, Realities, and Experiences (SHARE). Evaluation comprised three methods to assess content validity and reduce and refine items: q-sort, e-panel survey, and cognitive interviews.

Results: The final 18-item BH-KAB instrument assesses self-reported bladder knowledge; perceptions of bladder function, anatomy, and related medical conditions; attitudes toward different patterns of fluid intake, voiding, and nocturia; the potential to prevent or treat urinary tract infections and incontinence; and the impact of pregnancy and pelvic muscle exercises on bladder health.

Conclusion: The PLUS BH-KAB instrument may be used independently or in conjunction with other KAB instruments for a more comprehensive assessment of women's KAB related to bladder health. The BH-KAB instrument can inform clinical conversations, health education programming, and research examining potential determinants of bladder health, LUTS, and related behavioral habits (e.g., toileting, fluid intake, pelvic muscle exercises).

Keywords: bladder health; lower urinary tract symptoms; primary prevention; survey methodology; women's health.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Development and Evaluative Phases of Item Development for the Bladder Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs (BH-KAB) instrument.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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