1.34 million Australian males with incontinence face fear and embarrassment due to inadequate public facilities
World Continence Week Monday 21 – Sunday 27 June, 2021
The Continence Foundation of Australia has launched BINS4Blokes, an Australia-wide awareness and advocacy campaign promoting the installation of incontinence product disposal bins in male public toilet facilities.
As the key focus of World Continence Week from Monday 21 to Sunday 27 June, the campaign is calling on government, corporations, community organisations and the general public to be part of the solution and put in a bin for blokes.
In Australia, 1.34 million boys and men are living with urinary or faecal incontinence with over a third (36%) under the age of 50.
Despite this high number, there are very few bins installed in male public toilets around the country.
A lack of facilities to dispose of incontinence products can lead to a constant fear of public embarrassment and a reduced capacity to participate in everyday activities like exercise, eating out with family and friends or enjoying an afternoon at the footy, consequently leading to social isolation and poor mental health.
“I am a footy fanatic however I frequently reconsider going to the ground due to the fact there is no where for me to dispose of my pads. If we can get bins into sports grounds, shopping centres and public toilets everywhere I will be able to go out with confidence knowing that I can use the bins in a private and dignified way,” said Greg Ryan, AFL fan and person with lived experience of incontinence.
A study of Australian men with urinary incontinence found:
57% intentionally kept accidents secret from those close to them.
50% avoided situations where they could not access a toilet easily.
28% avoid socialising, except with close family and friends.
“There is so much stigma associated with incontinence and for many people living with it, it can lead them to withdraw from public and social activities resulting in depression and a reduced quality of life. With 1 in 10 Australian males experiencing incontinence, our BINS4Blokes initiative aims to help them feel more supported in the community and be able to confidently participate in social situations outside of the home”, said Rowan Cockerell, CEO of Continence Foundation of Australia.
In addition to improving the quality of life for boys and men with incontinence, the installation of disposal bins in male public toilets will also reduce the number of incontinence products being flushed down the toilet or disposed of inappropriately.
The BINS4Blokes initiative is also calling for the development of nationally consistent Standards and Codes of Practice for toilet facilities to include the installation of disposal bins for incontinence products in all male toilets.
For World Continence Week, the Foundation encourages everyone in the community, from local governments and big corporations to community clubs and individuals, to open up conversations around this issue and champion the BINS4Blokes initiative to help support the 1.34 million boys and men living with incontinence.
To pledge your support and nominate where you would like to see a BIN4Blokes and find out other ways to get involved, please visit www.bins4blokes.org.au
About the Continence Foundation of Australia
The Continence Foundation of Australia is a not-for-profit organisation and the national peak body promoting bladder and bowel health, incontinence prevention, management, education, awareness, information and advocacy.
With representation in each state and territory, the Foundation provides information, support and resources for individuals, carers and professionals.
About Incontinence
Over five million Australians are affected by incontinence.
The majority of people affected by incontinence can be treated, better managed or even cured.
In 2010, the total economic cost of incontinence was estimated to be $66.7 billion and rising.
People should SEEK HELP:
Ask your GP
Call the National Continence Helpline FREE 1800 33 00 66
Visit continence.org.au
