Description of some factors associated with the development and/or the recurrence of peptic ulcer

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was to describe some factors in relation to the development and/or the recurrence of peptic ulcer in patients. The sample consisted of 45 patients selected from general medical and surgical wards, at the Main University Hospital, University of Alexandria, over a period of five months, through the admission registry of these various wards. A semi structured interview schedule was constructed. It comprised three main areas biosocial, patient's medical history and factors perceived by patients as precipitating episodes. The results indicated that the majority of the sample were males and that both sexes were in the 4th and 6th decades of life. Moreover, the majority of the patients regardless to the type of work they had, mentioned that their occupations were exhausting [95.54%]. As for dietary habits, it was found that 86.67%, 91.11% and 62.22% of the total sample did not eat their meals at regular hours, did not chew properly and indulged daily in tea and coffee drinking respectively. Heavy smoking was also reported by 71.11%. Familial history of peptic ulcer was inexistant in 86.67% of the total sample. It was reported by 31.11% of the sample that they did not take medications freely or without medical prescription