Prevalence and Factors Influencing Constipation in School Age Children

Park, Ji Hyun; Son, Jung Tae

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to investigate prevalence and factors influencing constipation in school age children in order to help prevent and manage this problem.
METHODS
The participants were 618 elementary school students (4th, 5th, and 6th grade) selected from five elementary schools. Data were gathered using questionnaires and analyzed using chi2 test, independent t-test and binary logistic regression with the PASW 18.0 program.
RESULTS
The prevalence of constipation was 15.2% for these school age children. Factors influencing constipation in this population were high stress (OR: 5.77), daily intake of meat (OR: 5.42), more than 3 hours using the internet (OR: 4.50), more than 3 hours of private academy classes (OR: 2.83), obesity (OR: 2.34), and negative perceptions of school toilet environment (OR: 2.26).
CONCLUSION
Psychological factors and physical activities have an important effect on constipation in school age children. Thus, there is a need to educate both children and their parents on prevention of constipation by decreasing stress, decreasing meat intake, increasing active movement and increasing positive perception of school toilet environment.