title: Anal incontinence among Igbo (Nigerian) women.
abstract: Anal incontinence in patients who present to the gynaecology clinic for symptoms other than pelvic organ prolapse dysfunction is fairly common. A structured pre-tested 41-item pelvic organ prolapse questionnaire was administered by doctors to 3963 gynaecological patients, recruited from three states of south-eastern Nigeria, who were in the clinic for reasons other than pelvic organ prolapse dysfunction. This report considers only anal incontinence. We found a prevalence of 6.96% for anal incontinence. Of these, 2.67% were incontinent for liquid stool, 2.17% for solid stool and 2.12% for flatus. There appears to be a higher frequency of flatus incontinence in the reproductive years: 36.6% of primiparas aged <30 years had faecal incontinence. Flatus incontinence was present in 28 (43.7%) of 198 para 4 and below, and in 36 (56.3%) of 78 para 5 and above. There was thus a significant association between flatus incontinence and parity (chi2=32.4; p<0.001). Spontaneous vaginal delivery had a significant effect on anal incontinence (p=0.04). Physicians should, be able to detect this embarrassing condition and be alert to factors that may avert or ameliorate it.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Okonkwo
authors.forename: C N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Obionu
authors.forename: C V
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Okonkwo
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Obiechina
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000379:methods; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005414:Flatulence / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D010298:Parity; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health