IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME AMONG EMPLOYED WOMEN IN ARAR CITY, NORTHERN SAUDI ARABIA.

Background:- The prevalence and epidemiological features of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have not been properly investigated in adult working women in Arar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Also, worldwide there is limited knowledge about the exact prevalence of IBS and its relation to stressful life of working women. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of IBS among Educated and Working Women of Arar, KSA; and to discover undiagnosed cases of IBS and to investigate the role of socioeconomic and behavioral factors on IBS prevalence in this group of individuals. Methods:- This is a cross-sectional study in adult working women living in Arar city, the capital of the Northern province of Saudi Arabia. Demographic characteristics and common gastrointestinal symptoms were assessed using a self-administered modified Persian version of the Rome III questionnaire. The questionnaire was administrated to working women of Arar city; a population consisting of (207) women (whose mean age was 36 ± 7.5) years old. Results:- In 207 subjects aged 20-60 years the overall prevalence of IBS was 35.7%. In multivariate analysis, there is significant effect of average family income/month (P<0.05), butno significant effect of age, marital status, sector of working place and educational level on IBS occurrence among the studied working women(P>0.05). Conclusion:- IBS is highly prevalent among educated and working women of Arar, KSA and there is significant effect of average family income/month, but no significant effect of age, marital status, sector of working place and educational level on IBS occurrence among those women. Screening of employed women for IBS and psychological problems are recommended. In order to make the working women capable to cope up and overcome the stressors during their work, there is a primary requirement of stress management courses.