A Study on Fecal Incontinence and Depression of Rural Women

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to identify the prevalence and influencing factors of fecal incontinence, and to analyze the association between fecal incontinence and depression. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 233 women living in rural areas, and data were collected using questionnaires from February 24 to May 30, 2012. Fecal incontinence was measured with the Continence Grading Score, and depression with the Geriatric Depression Scale. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS through chi2-test, Fisher's exact test, t-test and ANOVA. RESULTS: Of the subjects, 16.7% had fecal incontinence. The prevalence of fecal incontinence was higher in older women (chi2=23.55, p<.001), those with vaginal delivery (chi2=4.81, p=.049), those with parity of 4 or more (chi2=13.47, p=.003), and those with urinary incontinence (chi2=26.36, p<.001). The level of depression was significantly higher in older women (F=19.27, p<.001), those with low academic qualification (F=18.17, p<.001), those with urinary incontinence (F=4.15, p=.043), and those with fecal incontinence (F=14.90, p<.001). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that there should be supports by public health care for fecal incontinence prevention and care programs in order to promote the physical and emotional health of rural women.