Prevalence of constipation among young adult population in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Constipation remains a persistent health problem, most associated with lifestyle habits, and is challenging to diagnose worldwide. There is a paucity of studies exploring constipation and risk factors in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of constipation among the Saudi population. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 219 individuals aged 18-30 from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, using the Cleveland Clinic Constipation Score. Results: Findings showed that most participants were female (54.3%) and in the 22-25 age group (55.9%). The prevalence of 13.2% and female gender (65.5%), eating junk food, drinking less water, and fiber-deficient food intake are key factors related to higher constipation prevalence. Conclusion: The prevalence of constipation among young adults in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is high, despite being similar to locally and internationally reported prevalence rates. Therefore, public education and awareness campaigns are recommended to tackle this problem.