Prevalence of self-reported constipation in adults from the general population

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of self-reported constipation and associated factors in the general population of a Brazilian city. METHOD: Secondary analysis of an epidemiological study, population-based, cross-sectional study, about bowel habits of Brazilian population. A total of 2,162 individuals were interviewed using two instruments: sociodemographic data and the adapted and validated Brazilian version of the "Bowel Function in the Community" tool. RESULTS: There was a prevalence of 25.2% for the self-reported constipation, 37.2% among women and 10.2% among men. Stroke and old age were associated with constipation in the three statistical models used. CONCLUSION: The prevalence found showed to be similar to the findings in the literature, although some associated factors obtained here have never been investigated.