title: Fecal incontinence epidemiology and help seeking among older people in Taiwan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study assesses the prevalence, comorbidity, and risk factors of fecal incontinence (FI), and explores help seeking patterns among older FI people.
  
  
  METHODS
  The data were obtained from the 2005 National Health Interview Survey, in which 1,345 men and 1,370 women aged above 65 years responded to questions concerning FI occurrence, and 218 FI-affected elderly people responded to the question about FI help seeking. The chi-square test, Student's t-test, and multiple logistic regression were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The weighted FI prevalence of older Taiwanese people was 6.9% for men and 9.3% for women. Urinary incontinence, diabetes mellitus, dementia, and asthma significantly increased the risk of FI among old men, but being overweight appeared to be FI-protective (OR 0.37, 95% CI = 0.17-0.80). In women, urinary incontinence, stroke, transit ischemia attack, dementia, chronic hepatitis, being underweight (BMI < 18.5), and greater parity were significant FI risk factors. Of those with FI, 49.1% had sought medical help. Using Andersen's model, data analysis showed that living in an urban area (OR 2.36, CI = 1.19-4.68), mucous stool incontinence (OR 3.56, 95% CI = 1.35-8.32), and one or more of the following FI-related problems, namely, anxiety, families interaction, social life, work life, and sexual life, significantly predicted FI sufferers seeking medical attention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self-reported FI is a prevalent condition with various etiologies among older people in Taiwan. Understanding the epidemiology and comorbidity of FI, and investigating the factors associated with help seeking, is beneficial in devising and implementing prevention and management strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shiow-Shiun
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Horng
authors.forename: Yiing-Jenq
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Yi-Ting
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Pesus
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chou
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: fecal incontinence; help seeking; older people; prevalence