Do racial differences in knowledge about urogynecologic issues exist?

The objective of this study is to assess knowledge about urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse in white versus nonwhite women. We hypothesize that there are racial differences in patient knowledge about these issues. One hundred twenty-six women presenting to our institution's gynecology clinic completed a two-scale, validated questionnaire assessing knowledge about incontinence and prolapse. Responses were compared for white versus nonwhite women using nonparametric statistical methods. Logistic regression was used to control for confounding variables. Mean score for white women exceeded that for nonwhite women for the incontinence (p = 0.019) but not the prolapse scale (p = 0.354). Of the white patients, 37.9% versus 19.1% of the nonwhite patients scored > or =80% on the incontinence scale (p = 0.019). This difference remained significant after controlling for potential confounders using logistic regression (p = 0.039). White women may have improved tested urinary incontinence knowledge as compared to nonwhite women.