Original Research

Identification of prevalence of constipation in infants aged 0–12 months in rural areas

AUTHORS

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Hacer Sütcü Çağlar
1 Master of Nursing, Nurse

name here
Filiz Hisar
2 RN, PhD, Professor * ORCID logo

AFFILIATIONS

1 Konya Karapınar State Hospital, Konya, Karapınar 42400, Turkey

2 Department of Nursing, Necmettin Erbakan University, İhsaniye Mah.Kazım Karabekir Cad. No:82/2, Konya/Turkey

ACCEPTED: 3 September 2019


early abstract:

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of constipation in 0-12 month–old infants in rural areas. The study sample consisted of 203 mothers with 0-12-month-old babies. Data were collected between April and June of 2016 using the Rome III criteria and the Bristol Stool Chart (BSC). The data of the study were analysed with chi-square analysis to compare the rate of the incidence of constipation according to variables and logistic regression (enter) analysis to evaluate together all variables that have an effect on the incidence of constipation.While the parents of participating in the study stated that 19.7% of infants had the complaint of constipation, the prevalence of constipation declined to 17.7% after the Rome III criteria was used. In 44.4% of the cases of constipation, the infants were female and 55.6% were male. Constipation complaints were found in 32.1 % of cases who were not breastfed as their first food, and in 30.2% of those who were started on supplementary food before six months of age. The mothers in 50% of the cases of infants with the complaint of constipation also suffered from constipation.As a result, around one fifth of the infants living in rural areas of Turkeywere determined to have constipation. Education and counselling should be provided by primary healthcare institutions to the families who are part of groups at risk for constipation. It is also suggested that studies should be conducted that would increase parents’ knowledge and awareness of constipation.