Prevalence and Risk Factors of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Female Students of Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences from Umm Al Qura University

Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) means that the bowel doesn't work or function correctly. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors affected irritable bowel syndrome among university students. The present study was carried out during the period from 1432 to 1433 AH among 200 female students. Data was collected through a interview questionnaire Rome III Diagnostic Questionnaires. The present study indicated that mean ± SE values of height, weight and BMI were not significant change in non- IBS and IBS students. The frequency distribution of IBS according to the family number, data showed that 4 %, 6%, 8% and 35% of students live with three, four, five and more than of five members had IBS, respectively. Data with regard to abdominal pain or discomfort in the last three months showed that 30 ,32, 40, 20, 31 and 17 students chooses less than 1d/m, 2 to 3 d/m, 1d/w, more than 1 d/w and every day, respectively. There were 7% was often feel discomfort and have less frequent bowel movement, 13% was feel discomfort in most of the time and have less frequent bowel movement and 6% was always feel discomfort and have less frequent bowel movement. Result showed that 21, 19 and 1% of IBS were eating one, two and three snack foods, respectively, while 7% were eating one, two and three meals out the home daily. Conclusion: Our results concluded that food habits, mother's education, snacks numbers, favorite method of cooking and awareness of food causes had effect on IBS.

Keywords: Irritable bowel disorder – Causes– Syndrome – Criteria.