[Prevalence of fecal incontinence in the urban population of Pouso Alegre, Minas Gerais, Brazil]. / Prevalência da incontinência anal na população urbana de Pouso Alegre, Minas Gerais.

The objectives of this study were to analyze the fecal incontinence (FI) in adults living in Pouso Alegre (Minas Gerais, Brazil) and the associated demographic and clinical variables. This epidemiological study developed sing stratified sampling by conglomerates. The final sample consisted of 519 individuals, of age >18 years, with adequate mental and physical conditions, living in 341 homes, which were randomly selected. Prevalence rates were standardized by gender and age, and revealed 7.0% of FI, overall and for men and women. In the final model of logistical regression, the number of children (OR=5.1; p<0.001), hemorrhoids (OR=4.4; p<0.001) and cystocele (OR=3.0; p<0.001) were statistically correlated to FI. This study identified the epidemiology of fecal incontinence in a small town in Brazil and may contribute to establish public policies and programs for primary and secondary prevention and treatment of FI, starting at the local level.

Prevalence of urinary incontinence in a random sample of the urban population of Pouso Alegre, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

This study determines and analyzes the prevalence of Urinary Incontinence (UI) and its demographic and clinical predictors. This epidemiological and cross-sectional study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the University of São Paulo, Nursing School. The sample was randomly selected by cluster technique and included 519 individuals aged≥18 years, living in 341 houses in urban areas. Data were analyzed through Chi-Square, Hosmer Lemeshow's test and multivariate logistic regression (stepwise). Prevalence rates were standardized by gender and age. Of the 519 people composing the sample: 20.1% had UI, 32.9% were women and 6.2% were men. Longer duration of losses (OR=29.3; p<0.001), diabetes mellitus (OR=17.7; p<0.001), stroke (OR=15.9; p<0.001), and cystocele (OR=12.5; p<0.001) were the factors most strongly associated with UI. This study enabled the identification of UI epidemiology and can contribute to the development of public policies for its primary and secondary prevention and treatment, even if such measures are initially implemented at the city level.