Constipation During and After the Civil War in Sri Lanka: a Paediatric Study

Constipation is a common childhood disease. It is associated with exposure to stressful events. Sri Lanka was involved in three decades of civil war causing significant emotional stress. This study assessed the prevalence of childhood constipation during and after war. Data were collected from 10- t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of tropical pediatrics (1980) 2011-12, Vol.57 (6), p.439-443
Main Authors: RAJINDRAJITH, Shaman, METTANANDA, Sachith, NIRANGA MANJURI DEVANARAYANA
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Biological and medical sciences
Child
Constipation - diagnosis
Constipation - epidemiology
Constipation - etiology
Female
Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen
General aspects
Humans
Logistic Models
Male
Medical sciences
Other diseases. Semiology
Prevalence
Risk Factors
Sri Lanka - epidemiology
Stomach. Duodenum. Small intestine. Colon. Rectum. Anus
Stress, Psychological - complications
Surveys and Questionnaires
Warfare
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Summary:Constipation is a common childhood disease. It is associated with exposure to stressful events. Sri Lanka was involved in three decades of civil war causing significant emotional stress. This study assessed the prevalence of childhood constipation during and after war. Data were collected from 10- to 16-year olds in five randomly selected schools, in three provinces (two schools from Eastern province), using a validated, self-administered questionnaire. Constipation was diagnosed using Rome III criteria. Phase I was conducted during the war to liberate Eastern province from separatist groups. Phase II was conducted 2 years after the war in same schools. During Phase I, prevalence of constipation was significantly higher in Eastern province (18.1%) compared with Western (14.2%) and Southern (12.6%) provinces (p = 0.009). Constipation was significantly lower in Eastern province in Phase II (10%) compared with Phase I (p < 0.0001). This study highlights the possible link between devastating emotional effects of civil war and childhood constipation.
ISSN:0142-6338
1465-3664
DOI:10.1093/tropej/fmr013