Prevalence of encopresis in children aged 5-12 years attending government primary schools in South East Nigeria

Background: Encopresis is a disabling condition that causes psychological problems in children and disharmony among family members and places a heavy burden on the well-being of the child and nation. Objectives: Objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of encopresis in children aged 5-12 years attending government primary schools in southeast Nigeria and associated factors. Materials and Methods: We enrolled 245 children in this study. The study was carried out among children in four government primary schools who were within the age range of 5-12 in Enugu and Ebonyi states of Nigeria. The instrument employed for data collection was a structured questionnaire (enuresis and encopresis questionnaire). The families were assigned socioeconomic classes (SEC) using Oyedeji's method of social classification. Data were analyzed with Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) software, version 17. Data presentation was in the form of tables and charts. Frequencies, proportions, and percentages were calculated for categorical variables. Results: We obtained a prevalence of 10.5%. Encopresis was highest in lower SEC. Encopresis was more in females 27.8% compared to males 25.4% though not statistically significant. One hundred and fifty-three (75%) of children achieved bowel control after the age of 4. About 72% of the children with stool soiling problem have no enuresis while 27% have enuresis. Conclusion: The prevalence of encopresis among school pupil in southeastern Nigeria is 10.5%. Encopresis is more common in children from a low SEC.