RESUMO
The dates of hospitalization for all intestinal obstructions treated at Bach Christian Hospital in rural Hazara District Pakistan were identified according to the Roman and Islamic months. The periods studied were from 1st September, 1996 to 30th June, 1970, and from 1st July, 1971 to 31st December, 1972. Fifty-one patients were admitted with intestinal obstruction. These were evenly distributed amongst all the Islamic months except Ramzan during which significantly more intestinal obstructions were seen. This relationship of intestinal obstructions with Ramazan was not a seasonal effect, nor due to changes in admission patterns and dietary habits. It is possible that the increased numbers of intestinal obstructions during Ramazan were related to the daytime fasting and nighttime feeding which devout Muslims practice throughout Ramazan. Other concomitant factors may include the high-bulk diet and the elongated colon which are features of the population of Hazara District