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Original Article
Online Published: 22 Jan 2025
 


Prevalence and characterization of chronic constipation among children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

Ahmed Mohammed Almutairi, Sultan Abdullah Al Wehaibi, Salma Mannaa Alanazi, Raneem Awad Alanazi, Rayyan Abdulaziz Alsalem, Maha Mohammed Gholah, Fahad Hisham Bin Shalhoub, Noora Ahmed Juaythin.


Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of constipation and its associations with demo graphic and health-related factors among children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over 9-12 months in Riyadh, involving 459 children aged 4 years and older. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire distributed to legal guardians in the outpatient clinics of Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital. Information on demographic characteristics, stool defecation patterns, chronic diseases, and medication use potentially affecting constipation was gathered.
Results: The study found a constipation prevalence rate of 33.6% among the children surveyed. Significant associations were observed between constipation prevalence and several demographic factors. Children residing in peripheral cities within Riyadh exhibited a higher prevalence of constipation (67.5%) compared to those in the main town (30.3%). Lower parental educational levels and household incomes of less than 10,000 Saudi Riyals per month were also correlated with higher constipation rates. Additionally, children taking constipation-inducing medications had elevated constipation prevalence rates. Conclusion: This study provides updated epidemiological data on constipation among children in Riyadh, highlighting significant associations with demographic and health-related factors. The findings underscore the need for targeted healthcare strategies and public health interventions to promote gastrointestinal health and reduce constipation prevalence among children in urban and suburban settings. Future research should explore longitudinal dynamics and causal pathways further to inform effective preventive and management approaches for pediatric constipation.

Key words: Chronic constipation, children, prevalence, characterization, Saudi Arabia


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Almutairi AM, Wehaibi SAA, Alanazi SM, Alanazi RA, Alsalem RA, Gholah MM, Shalhoub FHB, Juaythin NA. Prevalence and characterization of chronic constipation among children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study. IJMDC. 2025; 9(2): 425-431. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1737234005

Web Style

Almutairi AM, Wehaibi SAA, Alanazi SM, Alanazi RA, Alsalem RA, Gholah MM, Shalhoub FHB, Juaythin NA. Prevalence and characterization of chronic constipation among children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study. https://www.ijmdc.com/?mno=238486 [Access: October 13, 2025]. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1737234005

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Almutairi AM, Wehaibi SAA, Alanazi SM, Alanazi RA, Alsalem RA, Gholah MM, Shalhoub FHB, Juaythin NA. Prevalence and characterization of chronic constipation among children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study. IJMDC. 2025; 9(2): 425-431. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1737234005


Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Almutairi AM, Wehaibi SAA, Alanazi SM, Alanazi RA, Alsalem RA, Gholah MM, Shalhoub FHB, Juaythin NA. Prevalence and characterization of chronic constipation among children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study. IJMDC. (2025), [cited October 13, 2025]; 9(2): 425-431. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1737234005


Harvard Style

Almutairi, A. M., Wehaibi, . S. A. A., Alanazi, . S. M., Alanazi, . R. A., Alsalem, . R. A., Gholah, . M. M., Shalhoub, . F. H. B. & Juaythin, . N. A. (2025) Prevalence and characterization of chronic constipation among children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study. IJMDC, 9 (2), 425-431. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1737234005


Turabian Style

Almutairi, Ahmed Mohammed, Sultan Abdullah Al Wehaibi, Salma Mannaa Alanazi, Raneem Awad Alanazi, Rayyan Abdulaziz Alsalem, Maha Mohammed Gholah, Fahad Hisham Bin Shalhoub, and Noora Ahmed Juaythin. 2025. Prevalence and characterization of chronic constipation among children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 9 (2), 425-431. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1737234005


Chicago Style

Almutairi, Ahmed Mohammed, Sultan Abdullah Al Wehaibi, Salma Mannaa Alanazi, Raneem Awad Alanazi, Rayyan Abdulaziz Alsalem, Maha Mohammed Gholah, Fahad Hisham Bin Shalhoub, and Noora Ahmed Juaythin. "Prevalence and characterization of chronic constipation among children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries 9 (2025), 425-431. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1737234005


MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Almutairi, Ahmed Mohammed, Sultan Abdullah Al Wehaibi, Salma Mannaa Alanazi, Raneem Awad Alanazi, Rayyan Abdulaziz Alsalem, Maha Mohammed Gholah, Fahad Hisham Bin Shalhoub, and Noora Ahmed Juaythin. "Prevalence and characterization of chronic constipation among children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries 9.2 (2025), 425-431. Print. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1737234005


APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Almutairi, A. M., Wehaibi, . S. A. A., Alanazi, . S. M., Alanazi, . R. A., Alsalem, . R. A., Gholah, . M. M., Shalhoub, . F. H. B. & Juaythin, . N. A. (2025) Prevalence and characterization of chronic constipation among children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 9 (2), 425-431. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1737234005




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