Functional constipation among apparently healthy adolescents in Sokoto, North– western Nigeria

Abstract

Background / Aims: Functional constipation (FC) is an emerging global health problem that could be associated with psychological maladjustments in childhood. The objectives were to determine the prevalence, associated factors and predictors of FC among in-school adolescents in Sokoto. Methods: It was a cross sectional survey of apparently healthy sec[1]ondary school students in Sokoto metropolis selected via multistage random sampling, using a pre[1]tested semi-structured question[1]naire. Rome IV criteria for the diagnosis of FC were adopted in determining FC among the sub[1]jects. Data was analyzed using IBM-SPSS version 25. Results: Six hundred and three (603) adolescents were studied, majority 327 (54.2%) were males, their ages ranged between 10 and 19 years with mean (±SD) of 15.2 ± 2.6 years, with majority 246 (40.8%) belonging to age category 10-14 years. Most 383(63.5%) of the respondents attended public schools and 326(54.1%) were in CC –BY 4.0 senior secondary class category. Their parents were mainly 483 (80.1%) Hausa by tribe, graduates of tertiary institution 227 (37.6%),civil servants 268 (44.4%), and majority 272(45.1%) belonged to the middle social class. There was family history of constipation among 64(10.6%) of the subjects. Of the 603 adolescents that were studied, 123 of them had FC giving a prevalence of 20.4%. Gender (p=0.001), p=0.001), school type (p<0.001), access to toilet (p<0.001), unstable diet (p<0.001), inadequate physical activity (p<0.001) and poor self-concept (p = 0.005) were associated with FC and they remained independent predictors of FC on logistic regression analysis. Conclusions: One out of five of the respondents had Functional constipation and it was associated with some socio-demographic and psychological factors.