Table 1.

Characteristics of the participants (n = 85)

Characteristic	Categories	N	%
Age (years)	≤39 years	17	20.0
Mean: 52.8	40–59 years	43	50.6
SD: 15.5	60–79 years	20	23.5
	≥80 years	5	5.9
Gender	Male	49	57.6
Highest level of education N = 81	≤18 years of age	45	55.6
	College/diploma	13	16.0
	University	23	28.4
Employment status	In full‐time or part‐time employment	33	38.8
Living arrangements	Lives alone	43	50.6
Annual household income	<£10 000	38	44.7
	£10 000–£19 999	22	25.9
	£20 000–£29 999	11	12.9
	£30 000–£39 999	5	5.9
	£40 000–£49 999	3	3.5
	≥£50 000	6	7.1
Cause of incontinence (self‐reported)	Overactive bladder	19	22.4
	Neurological (MS, CVA)	9	10.6
	Post‐surgery/illness/obstetric	8	9.4
	Accident/injury	10	11.8
	Unknown	24	28.2
	Other	15	17.6
Barthel (activities of daily living score)*	≤4550–65	513	5.915.3
Mean: 82.6	70–85	27	31.8
SD: 11.5	90	40	47.1
		N	%
Design most used before study day (night) N = 84 Mean: 3.4 SD: 1.9	All‐in‐ones	35	41.7
	Insert pads	38	45.2
	T‐shaped/belted	3	3.6
	Pull‐ups	8	9.5
	Washables	0	0
Design most used before study day N = 84 Mean: 1.3 SD: 1.0	All‐in‐ones	39	46.4
	Insert pads	33	39.3
	T‐shaped/belted	2	2.4
	Pull‐ups	6	7.1
	Washables	4	4.8

*Barthel score ¹² : Range 0 (total dependence) to 100 (independent). Note Maximum for this group 90, as 10 deducted for incontinence.

MS, multiple sclerosis; CVA, cerebrovascular accident; SD, standard deviation; NHS, National Health Service.