Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to examine the role of prolonged sitting as a risk factor for hemorrhoids and the effect of other risk factors.
Methods: In the current cross-sectional study, a de novo questionnaire was designed and validated after revision of the literature was prepared for distribution by Google Forms. The data were collected from the general population of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The minimum sample size was calculated to be 385 using OpenEpi version 3.0.
Results: Of a total of 395 participants with a mean age of 31.8 ± 12.59, most of the participants did not report having risk factors of hemorrhoids. The age of participants, as well as their occupations and the period that they held those occupations, were significantly associated with having a diagnosis of hemorrhoids. However, no statistical significance was established with the period of sitting per day or the work position.
Conclusion: Although there was a significant association between hemorrhoids and certain occupations, this analysis suggested prolonged sitting was not a significant risk factor. However, factors such as no access to restrooms while on the job were more responsible for developing hemorrhoids. Further studies are recommended to investigate the role of occupational settings on hemorrhoids.

Key words: Association, hemorrhoids, long-sitting, Makkah, Saudi Arabia