Vol. 3, Issue 1, Part K (2017)

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of IBS among school teachers in Qassim region, and its impact on their performance as teachers & quality of life.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 300school teachers selected by multistage stratified random sample method in 2013. A confidential, anonymous, and self-administered questionnaire was used to collect personal and sociodemographic data, teacher performance oriented questions. Rome III Criteria were used to diagnose IBS.

Results: The prevalence of IBS symptoms among teachers in Qassim region of Saudi Arabia is 40.7% with no significant gender predilection. The IBS symptoms significantly affect the work performance of the teachers (61.6%) with high absenteeism rate (46.6%) especially among 51-60y and 21-30y age groups (p<0.05). Significant proportion (45.3%) of IBS criteria +ve teachers find IBS symptoms to be hindrance in their quality of life.

Conclusion: Prevalence of IBS in Qassims school teachers is becoming increasingly an important issue with 40.7% of teachers reporting symptoms suggestive of IBS in a random sample. Majority of teachers having frequent problems of performance as a teacher & quality of life associated with their IBS Symptoms. Significantly, IBS criteria +ve teachers are more likely to have discipline problems compared to healthy teachers.