INFORM | First half of 2019

8 Inform in the first half of 2019 | A European study and roadshow Direct link to end consumers: the Bladder Weakness Consultation Days (Beratungstag Blasenschwäche) roadshow In order to boost its own profile in the end costumer business, the business unit Incontinence Management and HARTMANN Germany organized a roadshow to provide information on dealing with bladder weakness in spring. The team visited medical supply stores in five cities in southern Germany with its MoliCare ® mobile. The aim was to establish direct contact with end con- sumers on site and provide them with advice on the most suitable solutions. The event was able to generate interest among a large number of visitors and people affected by the condition, meaning that expectations were exceeded. Impact of incontinence 74 percent of those affected say that it affects their everyday lives. 69 percent feel that it has a negative impact on their confidence levels. 68 percent feel psychologically impacted. “This feeling of psychological duress means that those affected experience a range of negative emotions such as shame, worry and insecurity,” explains Dr. Chima Abuba, Head of HARTMANN Germany. Many of them impose restrictions on how they spend their free time and on their social life. In particular, they avoid sports, travelling or even engaging in sexual intercourse. People suffering from incontinence are affected to varying degrees, depending on their country of origin. The level of suffering is most pronounced among Germans (74 percent) and French (73 percent). A feeling of shame, for example, is particularly common in France (61 percent), while only 32 percent of respondents from Spain are ashamed of their incontinence. Despite all the differences in dealing with the topic, one thing is common to everyone affected in the countries surveyed: They say that more education on urinary incontinence is needed. Strengthening the end customer business: On the road with the MoliCare ® mobile to medical supply stores in southern Germany.