The Identification of Constipation Problem in Healthy Young Individuals

AIM: This study was descriptively prepared to determine the rate of constipation in healthy young individuals according to Roma II criteria. METHOD: The study population consisted of students (n=284) who studied at Ege University, School of Nursing in the 2006-2007 academic year. Constipation Questionnaire and Bowel Habit Form-The Visual Scale Analog Questionnaire (VSAQ) were used in order to collect data. According to the findings of VSAQ form that includes Roma II criteria for the diagnosis of constipation, students fulfilling any two of the criteria, was accepted as being constipated. Chi-Square test, Pearson Correlation and T-Test were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: In the study results, it was determined that 56.7% of all students accepted themselves as being constipated, 87.7% of them fulfilled at least two of the Roma II criteria, the prevalence of constipation was higher in students who stayed in dormitories and ate less fibrous foods (p<0.05), and doing exercise and smoking did not affect the constipation problem (p>0.05). The mean scores of straining, not being completely empty, sense of fullness and pain obtained from the VSAQ and the mean score of negative effect on daily life were found to be statistically different between students, who accepted themselves as being constipated and who did not (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Higher rate of students fulfilling at least two of the criteria, the determination of the negative effect of the constipation on daily life, and the drug use for the treatment was considered that constipation is a problem which excessive emphasis should be put on. To relieve constipation, firstly high fibrous food and plentiful fluid consumption are suggested to the students. [TAF Prev Med Bull 2010; 9(2): 127-132]