Constipation Frequency and Factors Influencing Constipation in First-year Nursing Students
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Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine constipation frequency and the factors that influence constipation among first-year nursing students. Data collection form and the constipation severity instrument were used for data collection. A total of 149 students, with mean average age of 19.11 ± 1.55 participated in the study; 62.4% was female and 24.2% of the students were constipated. Straining (16.1%) and difficulty (15.4%) during defecation was stressed by some of the students. The constipation complaints were pain (41.7%) and abdominal distention (25%). The mean score of the constipation severity instrument was 27.24 ± 8.38 (obstructive defecation 13.83 ± 3.90, colonic inertia 11.00 ± 4.11 and pain 2.40 ± 2.08).Gender, exercising, lifestyle, number of meals and the consumption of liquids influenced the constipation severity. Implementing programmes to prevent constipation may help in reducing the severity of the problem.
Keywords: Constipation, influencing factors, nursing students
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