| International Journal of Clinical Pediatrics, ISSN 1927-1255 print, 1927-1263 online, Open Access |
| Article copyright, the authors; Journal compilation copyright, Int J Clin Pediatr and Elmer Press Inc |
| Journal website http://www.theijcp.org |
Original Article
Volume 7, Number 4, December 2018, pages 47-50
Bowel Movement Patterns and Constipation Prevalence in School Children of South Jordan
Tables
| Male, n (%) | 210 (50.8) |
| Female, n (%) | 203 (49.2) |
| Age, mean (range in years) | 12.7 (11 - 16) |
| Feature | Boys, n (%) | Girls, n (%) | P value | Total (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NS: not significant. | ||||
| Frequency of bowel motion | ||||
| 2 times a week or less often | 70 (33.3) | 53 (26.1) | NS | 123 (29.8) |
| 3 - 6 times a week | 24 (11.4) | 14 (6.9) | NS | 38 (9.2) |
| Once a day | 65 (31) | 70 (34.5) | NS | 135 (32.7) |
| 2 - 3 times a day | 25 (12) | 48 (23.6) | 0.002 | 73 (17.7) |
| More than 3 times a day | 26 (12.3) | 18 (8.9) | NS | 44 (10.7) |
| Consistency | ||||
| Hard, very hard | 51 (24.3) | 19 (9.4) | 0.0001 | 70 (16.9) |
| Not too hard and not too soft | 78 (37.1) | 95 (46.8) | 0.046 | 173 (41.9) |
| Very soft or mushy | 12 (5.7) | 13 (6.4) | NS | 25 (6.1) |
| Watery | 24 (11.4) | 13 (6.4) | NS | 37 (8.9) |
| It depends (my poops are not always the same) | 45 (21.4) | 63 (31) | 0.027 | 108 (26.2) |
| Painful stool | ||||
| Yes | 45 (21.4) | 42 (20.7) | NS | 87 (21.1) |
| Large stool | ||||
| Yes | 50 (24.9) | 34 (16.7) | 0.041 | 84 (20.3) |
| Stool retention | ||||
| Never | 107 (51.7) | 125 (61.6) | 0.031 | 232 (56.2) |
| 1 - 3 times a month | 40 (19) | 26 (12.8) | NS | 66 (16) |
| Once a week | 26 (12.4) | 25 (12.3) | NS | 51 (12.3) |
| Several times a week | 25 (11.9) | 14 (6.9) | NS | 39 (9.4) |
| Every day | 12 (5.7) | 13 (6.4) | NS | 25 (6.1) |
| Fecal mass | ||||
| Yes | 45 (21.4) | 13 (6.4) | < 0.000 | 58 (14) |
| Fecal incontinence | ||||
| Never | 128 (61) | 153 (75.3) | 0.002 | 281 (68) |
| Less than once a month | 31 (14.8) | 18 (8.8) | NS | 49 (11.9) |
| 1 - 3 times a month | 8 (3.8) | 6 (3) | NS | 14 (3.4) |
| Once a week | 28 (13.3) | 16 (7.9) | NS | 44 (10.6) |
| Several times a week | 8 (3.8) | 6 (3) | NS | 14 (3.4) |
| Every day | 7 (3.3) | 4 (2) | NS | 11 (2.7) |
| Constipation as per Rome III criteria | 59 (28.1) | 51 (25.1) | NS | 110 (26.6) |