'BINS4BLOKES' raises incontinence awareness

More than a million Australian males live with incontinence – and many find it daunting to leave their house without easy access to toilets.

Even if they do go out, many public toilets do not have proper facilities for disposal of incontinence products, so Hollywood Private Hospital has launched a new initiative to help patients and visitors.

Continence bins were placed in the male toilets of the Ramsay Health Plus allied health clinic on its Nedlands campus in Perth for World Continence Week 2021 (Sunday 21 June to Sunday 27 June). 

It is part of the nationwide 'BINS4BLOKES' campaign by the Continence Foundation of Australia promoting the installation of incontinence bins in male public toiletfacilities.

Ramsay Health Plus physiotherapist Libby Borman said about 1.34 million Australian boysand men live with incontinence.

"For boys and men who use incontinence products, there are very few or no places for them to throw them out," Ms Borman said.

"This can make them want to stay put, not wanting to leave their homes and join in everyday activities."

Incontinence is a lack of voluntary control over the bladder and bowel, and can range in severity from a small leak to complete loss of control.

A study of Australian men with urinary incontinence found that:

• 57 percent intentionally kept their condition hidden from those close to them
• 50 percent avoided situations where they could not easily access a toilet
• 28 percent avoided socialising except with close family and friends. 

Ms Borman said incontinence was more common in men with prostate problems, cancer, high body mass index (BMI), diabetes, cardiovascular disease, physical disabilities or witholder age.

"People who have incontinence should seek help and advice," she said.

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