Factors with to intestinal constipation in the rural area elderly

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify the prevalence of intestinal constipation in the rural area elderly and verify the factors associated. This is a home survey performed with 850 elderly residents of the rural area of Uberaba, Minas Gerais state. A structured instrument was used; information regarding their eating habits was obtained using an adapted questionnaire for food consumption frequency, and intestinal constipation was self-reported. Descriptive analysis, chi-square test and multiple logistic regression (p<0.05) were performed. The prevalence of intestinal constipation was 13.2%. The factors associated with intestinal constipation were: female gender (p<0.001), 80 years of age or older (p=0.035), living with another person (p=0.004), having no income (p=0.033), inadequate consumption of fruits (p=0.005) and vegetable (p=0.002). It is considered that client-centered nutritional education can help remove the factors associated with the outcome.

Descriptors: Constipation; Aged; Gastrointestinal Motility; Rural Population; Geriatric Nursing.