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Continence Foundation of Australia. Promoting bladder and bowel health. Organisation overview. Peak body for continence promotion, management and advocacy Multidisciplinary approach to treating bladder and bowel control problems
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Continence Foundation of Australia Promoting bladder and bowel health
Organisation overview • Peak body for continence promotion, management and advocacy • Multidisciplinary approach to treating bladder and bowel control problems • 1200 members including people with incontinence, carers, health professionals and industry • State/territory branches and resource centers
National Continence Management Strategy • Australian Government initiative • Established in 1998 • Aligns with the vision and mission of the CFA
Continence Outreach Project • National Continence Management Strategy initiative • Three components managed by the CFA • National Continence Helpline • Continence Awareness Week • liaison with continence-related agencies and groups
Continence nurse advisors • Information and advice • Free resources • Indigenous/non English speaking • Local continence services • Funding schemes • Products, aids and appliances National Continence Helpline
Continence Awareness Week • Key public forum • Leverages partnerships with key stakeholders • Broad range of promotional activities at a local/national level • Demonstrates the effectiveness of a targeted campaign • Highest number of calls to the National Continence Helpline • Evaluation supports future planning
Continence Awareness Week 2006 • Theme ‘pelvic floor – use it or lose it’ • Broad target audience • Different marketing angles • Significant media interest • Increased stakeholder buy-in
Continence Awareness Week 2006 • Key activities: • breakfast launch • Federation Square launch • ‘Run or bust’ • public displays • television, radio and print media • mail outs • joint media releases • consumer and health professional forums • promotions competition
Liaison • Collaborative partnerships • Maximises resources • Overcomes barriers to promotion • Produces mutually beneficial outcomes • De-stigmatises incontinence
Psychosocial barriers to promoting continence • Embarrassment • “I could never bring myself to talk about it” • “I feel so ashamed… people must think I am disgusting” • “I feel so alone… but imagine what people would think if they found out”
Psychosocial barriers to promoting continence • Denial • “I’m not incontinent, I just don’t make it to the toilet in time sometimes” • “It’s only a small leak, and it only happens when I cough, sneeze or laugh” • “It’s not a ‘serious’ problem, it will probably go away on its own”
Psychosocial barriers to promoting continence • Stereotypes • “I’m getting old, and incontinence is inevitable with ageing” • “I’ve had a baby, and it’s normal to have little leaks after childbirth” • “I’ve had prostate cancer and every bloke I know has the same problem”
Psychosocial barriers to promoting continence • Stigma • “People must think I am weak and have no control over my life” • “My family and friends will stop wanting to be around me” • “I’m aboriginal and this problem is a shame job (shameful) in our culture”
Other barriers to promoting continence • Lack of media interest • Competing health conditions • Not life threatening • Language • Geographical isolation • Workforce issues
Overcoming barriers to promotion • Research • Whole of health approach • Collaboration • Positive key messages • Creativity • Persistence