Association of workplace toilet access with urinary tract symptoms and productivity loss among female workers

• Published in: Industrial Health Vol. 63; no. 4; pp. 356 - 364
• Main Authors: LEE, Yu Min, KIM, Jae Yoon, YOO, Hyoungseob, KANG, Mo-Yeol
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health 01.01.2025; National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Japan
• Subjects: Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Efficiency; Female; Health aspects; Humans; Industrial productivity; Location; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms - epidemiology; Middle Aged; Occupational Diseases - epidemiology; Original; Overactive; Productivity; Public restrooms; Republic of Korea - epidemiology; Risk Factors; Surveys; Surveys and Questionnaires; Toilet facilities; Toilet Facilities - statistics & numerical data; Urinary bladder; Urinary incontinence; Urinary Incontinence - epidemiology; Urination disorders; Working women; Workplace; Workplace - statistics & numerical data; Republic of Korea; South Korea; Productivity; Urinary incontinence; Overactive; Toilet facilities; Workplace; Urinary bladder
• ISSN: 0019-8366; 1880-8026
• DOI: 10.2486/indhealth.2024-0160

This study investigated workplace toilet access related to lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) among women in the Korean workforce. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to determine demographic characteristics, occupational risk factors, and urinary tract symptoms among employed Korean women. Occupational risk factors included two survey questions about access to toilets at work. LUTS were assessed using the overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) and international consultation on incontinence questionnaire-urinary incontinence short form (ICIQ-SF). Health-related productivity losses (HRPL) were estimated using the work productivity and activity impairment questionnaire for urinary symptoms (WPAI-US). Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the association between workplace toilet access and LUTS. In addition, generalised linear regression analysis was performed to assess HRPL according to workplace toilet access. Of the 1057 participants, 260 (24.6%) and 294 (27.81%) had overactive bladder and urinary incontinence, respectively. More than 50% reported poor access to toilet. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the lower the access to toilets in the workplace, the higher the incidence of LUTS and the higher HRPL. In conclusion, restricted access to toilets at work are associated with poor urinary health and loss of productivity.