The fecal incontinence is a condition that affects a significant portion of the population, especially old people. This study aimed to examine the possible factors that caused the development of fecal incontinence in old people of the city of Rio Piracicaba, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. This was a descriptive type of quantitative research, conducted in 2009 with 23 people, with the application of sociodemographic questionnaires, according to the Fecal Incontinence Severity Index - FISI and by evaluation of the Mini-mental State Examination. It was found that 52,10% are female; 52,10% are over 80 years old; 73,90% are illiterate; 95,65% have a monthly income of one minimum wage; 73,90% have less than three associated problems; 73,90% are presenting incontinence for up to 60 months and 95,65% don't receive any treatment for this disease. It was also found a significant association between gender, disease's cause and problems associated with brain stroke. The data demonstrated the need for implementation of educational procedures to provide information about the disease, its treatment and prevention.
Fecal Incontinence; Aged; Anal Canal; Gender Identity; Quantitative Analysis; Epidemiology, Descriptive; Rio Piracicaba city; Old People