Prevalence of Functional Constipation and Its Associated Factors among Adults in Temeke municipality - A Community Based Study

Abstract

Background: Functional Constipation is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal disorders among adults which compromise the quality of life, physical and/or social functioning and leads to high economic burden on the healthcare services. Few studies have evaluated the prevalence of functional constipation using different Rome criteria. Due to paucity of epidemiological data in Tanzania, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence of functional constipation and its associated factors among adults. Broad Objective: To determine the prevalence of functional constipation and its associated factors among adults in Temeke municipality, Dar es salaam region. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional, community based study was conducted among adults aged ≥ 18 years in Temeke municipality from September to November 2019. A multistage, random sampling technique was used to select participants. Data was collected at a household level using a structured questionnaire and interview. Data included the sociodemographic and baseline characteristics, anthropometric measurements and Rome IV diagnostic criteria for Functional constipation. Data entry was done using EpiInfo version 7.2 and analysed using Stata software 15.1. Quantitative variables were presented as mean and standard deviation and qualitative variables as proportions. Logistic regression models were used to study the association and a P value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Out of 855 adults, 188 (22%) had functional constipation. Considering sex, the prevalence of functional constipation was higher among females 141/597 (23.62%) than males47/258 (18.22%), with a male to female ratio of 1:1.3. Older age ≥ 60 years (AOR 1.95. 95% CI.1.06 - 3.55), female sex (AOR 1.83 .95% C.I.1.17 – 2.87), depression (AOR 5.22, 95%C.I. 1.88 - 14.48), past smoking (AOR 4.94, 95% C.I. 2.25 - 10.89) were found to be associated with higher odds of functional constipation. However, fluid intake ≥ 0.5Lper day (AOR 0.37 95% C.I. 0.21 - 0.66) was found to be protective. Conclusion: The prevalence of functional constipation was higher in our community. Decreasing modifiable factors associated with functional constipation such as avoid smoking and increase fluid intake per day can reduce its prevalence and decrease burden of the disease.