Volume 37, Issue 4 pp. 1474-1484

ORIGINAL CLINICAL ARTICLE

Fecal incontinence knowledge, attitudes, and help-seeking behaviors among community-dwelling adults in Korea

Hee-Kyung Joh MD, MPH, PhD,

Hee-Kyung Joh MD, MPH, PhD

orcid.org/0000-0003-3854-7012

Department of Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea

Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University Health Service Center, Seoul, South Korea

Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea

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Moo-Kyung Seong MD, PhD,

Corresponding Author

Moo-Kyung Seong MD, PhD

[email protected]

orcid.org/0000-0002-2284-9449

Department of Colorectal Surgery, Konkuk University Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea

Department of Surgery, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea

Correspondence

Moo-Kyung Seong, MD, PhD, Department of Colorectal Surgery, Konkuk University Medical Center, Seoul 05030, South Korea

Email: [email protected]

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Hyun-Jun Ahn MD,

Hyun-Jun Ahn MD

Department of Colorectal Surgery, Konkuk University Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea

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Hee-Kyung Joh MD, MPH, PhD,

Hee-Kyung Joh MD, MPH, PhD

orcid.org/0000-0003-3854-7012

Department of Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea

Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University Health Service Center, Seoul, South Korea

Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea

Search for more papers by this author

Moo-Kyung Seong MD, PhD,

Corresponding Author

Moo-Kyung Seong MD, PhD

[email protected]

orcid.org/0000-0002-2284-9449

Department of Colorectal Surgery, Konkuk University Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea

Department of Surgery, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea

Correspondence

Moo-Kyung Seong, MD, PhD, Department of Colorectal Surgery, Konkuk University Medical Center, Seoul 05030, South Korea

Email: [email protected]

Search for more papers by this author

Hyun-Jun Ahn MD,

Hyun-Jun Ahn MD

Department of Colorectal Surgery, Konkuk University Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea

Search for more papers by this author

First published: 13 January 2018

https://doi.org/10.1002/nau.23480

Citations: 3

Institution at which the work was performed: Konkuk University Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea.

Limin Liao led the peer-review process as the Associate Editor responsible for the paper.

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Abstract

Objectives

Fecal incontinence (FI) is a common debilitating disorder that tends to be underreported. Although low health literacy likely contributes to the underreporting, studies on FI knowledge among the general population remain scarce. We investigated how FI knowledge is associated with attitudes and help-seeking behaviors.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional survey among community-dwelling adults undergoing national health screening in Korea. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to assess FI knowledge, attitudes, and help-seeking behaviors. Odds ratios (ORs; 95% confidence intervals, CIs) were estimated using logistic regression with adjustment for covariables.

Results

Of the 601 participants completing the survey, only 29.8% were aware of the term FI, and their knowledge levels were insufficient. As for FI-related attitudes, 24.6% considered FI to be very rare, and 22.3% considered it to be moderately or less distressing. Individuals who knew the term FI tended to consider FI more common (OR: 2.45; 95%CI: 1.49-4.02) and distressing (OR: 1.68; 95%CI: 1.07-2.63) than those without knowledge. Assuming future FI occurrence, those considering FI to be distressing were less willing to ignore or self-manage the condition (OR: 0.25; 95%CI: 0.11-0.58). Among patients with FI (n = 83), only 30.1% had sought help and 8.4% had consulted doctors. Knowing the term FI was significantly associated with overall help-seeking behavior (OR: 9.23; 95%CI: 2.09-40.77).

Conclusions

FI knowledge levels and help-seeking rates were low among community-dwelling adults. FI knowledge was significantly associated with attitudes and help-seeking behaviors. Future public education programs are warranted to improve FI knowledge, attitudes, and help-seeking behaviors.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Supporting Information

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Volume37, Issue4

April 2018

Pages 1474-1484

Fecal incontinence knowledge, attitudes, and help-seeking behaviors among community-dwelling adults in Korea

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Supporting Information

REFERENCES

Citing Literature

References

Information

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Fecal incontinence knowledge, attitudes, and help-seeking behaviors among community-dwelling adults in Korea

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Supporting Information

REFERENCES

Citing Literature

References

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