The Department of Health is marking World Continence Week (21 to 27 June) by calling for support for the more than one million men around Australia who live with incontinence.
The Continence Foundation of Australia is launching BINS4Blokes, which is an Australia-wide awareness campaign promoting the installation of incontinence bins in male public toilets.
In a statement, the Department said incontinence affected one in 10 men in Australia, of all ages.
“Many male public toilets do not have a disposal bin for men to place their continence products,” the statement said.
“A lack of options stops men with incontinence from going out to exercise, shop and simply enjoy life.”
The Continence Foundation added its voice, saying the lack of appropriate bin facilities in public toilets meant many men had to carry used products around with them, or feel stressed about how they would throw them out.
“This lack of options means many men just give up and stay home as much as possible,” the Foundation said.
“We believe that every Australian should have access to disposal bins for their incontinence products.”
It said that in many cases, incontinence could be prevented, better managed and even cured.
Further information can be obtained by contacting the National Continence Helpline on 1800 33 00 66 for confidential advice, information and referrals.
The helpline operates Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm.
