Background: Although constipation is typically avoidable, it presents as a continuous problem in healthcare with painful and unbearable consequences. Constipation might be significant (idiopathic) or minor to other factors, which could be medical or surgical factors [poor diet, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), or obstructions, etc.]. This study aimed to assess the level of awareness of the adult population toward constipation and its complications in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and to assess the relationship between the level of awareness and different sociodemographic factors.
Methodology: In this cross-sectional study, 1,855 participants were randomly enrolled; among them 66.6% were male, while 33.4% were female. A pretested questionnaire was used in data collection. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze the collected data.
Results: The studys findings indicated that 75% of the participants were recognized with a good level of awareness of constipation and its complications. No significant difference was observed between gender, nationality, and level of education concerning the level of awareness, as the calculated p values for these parameters were recorded as 0.663, 0.883, and 0.942, respectively. On the contrary, there was a significant difference between the age parameter and the level of awareness (p ≤ 0.001). Our results showed that the level of awareness improved with increasing age. Also, there was a significant relationship between marital status and level of awareness (p ≤ 0.001). The result showed that the highest level of awareness was observed in widowed followed by married participants.
Conclusion: The level of awareness toward constipation and its complications was sufficient among the adult population in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. There was a significant difference between age and marital status concerning the level of awareness.
Key words: Constipation, adult, awareness, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, complication of constipation
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