Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable

Barriers and Enablers to Accessing Medical Care for Urinary Incontinence and Prolapse in GLobal Majority Women

United Kingdom160 participantsStarted 2025-12

Plain-language summary

This project aims to explore barriers to treatment seeking for symptoms of prolapse and urinary incontinence in women from ethnic minority/global majority background. This study consists of three components, each with different methodological approaches: 1. Collecting objective data using validated questionnaires Prolapse and Incontinence Knowledge Questionnaire (PIKQ), Female Genital Self-Image Scale (FGSIS-4) and prevalence and severity of urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse (ICIQ-UI Short Form and ICIQ-VS), age, level of education, level of deprivation (according to postcode), faith, first or preferred language spoken, sexual orientation and employment status to explore whether these are associated with barriers to treatment seeking as measured by the Barriers to Incontinence Care Seeking Questionnaire (BICS-Q) and to estimate the prevalence of urinary incontinence and prolapse in a community group of women from an ethnic minority/global majority background 2. Collecting qualitative data via semi-structured interviews with women from an ethnic minority/global majority background who have sought treatment for urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse to explore barriers they may have experienced and how these were overcome and collecting qualitative data via focus group discussions with women from an ethnic minority/global majority background who attend women's community groups 3. Zine making as a research approach is a creative, participatory method that uses the process of creating zines (small, self-published, often handmade booklets) to generate, explore, and share knowledge . Zine making blends arts-based research and participatory action research and is particularly suited for working with seldom heard communities or exploring stigmatised conditions because it gives participants creative control over how their experiences are communicated, which can be empowering, especially for individuals who are under or misrepresented in mainstream narratives . Zine making is also more accessible for individuals who do not speak English as their first or preferred language, or, have other communication barriers .

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

FEMALE

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Women who have been referred to MFT for the specified condition. Inclusion Criteria: * To be willing and able to give informed consent * To have been born female and to currently identify as female * To be over the age of 18 years * To have accessed medical care for urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse * To be from an ethnic minority/ global majority background * To be able to speak and understand English Exclusion Criteria: \- Women attending select community centres in Greater Manchester area. Inclusion Criteria: * To be willing and able to give informed consent * To have been born female and to currently identify as a woman * To be over the age of 18 years * To be from an ethnic minority/ global majority background * To be able to speak and understand either English, or a language which the community group translator can communicate in Exclusion Criteria: \-

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Prolapse and Incontinence Knowledge Questionnaire (PIKQ)

Timeframe: 12 months

Barriers to Incontinence Care Seeking questionnaire (BICS-Q)

Timeframe: 12 months

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07310121

SponsorManchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Sponsor typeOTHER_GOV

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2026-11-30

Contact for this trial

Stuart Ingram, MsC

0161 stuart.ingram@mft.nhs.uk

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Pelvic Prolapse Conditions trials