Evaluating Awareness and Associated Risk Elements of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Abstract

The most common reason for referrals to gastrointestinal clinics in Asia is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Abdominal pain that is linked to changes in bowel habits or defecation patterns is a typical complaint among IBS patients. The disorder has a substantial negative impact on quality of life and impairs functional abilities. Around 40% of people in Asia are thought to have IBS. The purpose of this study was to evaluate Asian people's awareness of and attitudes of IBS. In order to collect data for the study, computerized questionnaires were sent and one-on-one interviews were conducted. These questions were created to test the participants' knowledge of IBS and opinions on the illness. From March 2023 to September 2023, numerous Asian regions were the subject of the study. The survey gathered responses from 325 randomly chosen participants, representing a wide age range from 18 years to over 65 years, with 54.2% being males and 45.8% being females. The majority of the questions were correctly answered, according to the results, demonstrating that participants had a reasonable level of understanding. It's interesting that the study discovered that young adults had a higher prevalence of IBS. The study also revealed that participants had generally favorable views and beliefs about IBS, with the striking exception of roughly 51.8% of individuals who believed that surgical procedures may relieve IBS symptoms. Establishing educational initiatives aimed at enhancing knowledge and minimizing functional impairments as well as the detrimental effects of this condition on the quality of life among the Asian community are crucial to promoting awareness and understanding of IBS in Asia.