Keywords
Urinary Incontinence
Fecal Incontinence
Moisture-Associated Skin Damage
Skin Integrity
How to Cite
Abstract
Introduction. Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis (IAD) is an inflammatory condition of the perineal and perianal skin caused by prolonged contact with urine and feces. Despite its clinical impact, recognition and documentation remain inconsistent, with wide variability in diagnosis, prevalence, and treatment across care settings. This study aimed to provide a narrative overview of current evidence on IAD and to assess nurses’ knowledge of its diagnosis, staging, and management across healthcare settings.
Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional observational study was conducted using an anonymous online questionnaire (Google Forms) developed from a literature review. The survey included 11 items on demographics, self-assessed competence, and objective knowledge. Data were collected from March to June 2025 via snowball sampling, with 186 nurses completing the questionnaire. Descriptive and comparative analyses were performed across care settings.
Results. Participants’ ages ranged from 22 to 62 years (mean 41.7 ± 10.2), with an average of 15.4 ± 8.6 years of professional experience. About half felt inadequately prepared to manage IAD, while only 18% rated themselves as highly competent.
Only 44% correctly distinguished IAD from pressure injuries. Barrier products, gentle hygiene, staff training, and proactive incontinence management were the most cited preventive strategies. Knowledge and tool use were higher in surgical and medical/oncology settings, while community, home care, and rehabilitation showed critical gaps. Adoption of standardized tools such as GLOBIAD was limited.
Discussion. IAD remains underrecognized and inconsistently managed across care settings. The mismatch between perceived and actual competence, together with low use of standardized assessment tools, may contribute to misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, and suboptimal prevention. Structured, context-specific educational programs and wider implementation of tools such as GLOBIAD are essential to enhance prevention, support accurate documentation, and ultimately improve patient outcomes.
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