Effect of chewing gum on gastrointestinal status among post caesarean section. A quasi-experimental study

Faris, Gona Othman; Hussein, Dlsoz Abdullah

doi:10.64554/njphn.2026.192023

	Effect of chewing gum on gastrointestinal status among post caesarean section. A quasi-experimental study
Ninevah Journal of Public Health & Nursing
Volume 1, Issue 1, August 2026
Document Type: Original Article
DOI: 10.64554/njphn.2026.192023
Authors
Gona Othman Faris^* ¹; Dlsoz Abdullah Hussein²
¹Gona Othman Faris Department of Maternal Neonate Nursing, College of Nursing, University of Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region, Republic of Iraq,
²Abdullah Hussein
Abstract
Background: The annual number of cesarean sections performed worldwide is sharply increasing. It is often associated with postoperative gastrointestinal complications, such as ileus and delayed bowel function, which may prolong the recovery and hospital stay. Chewing gum has been proposed as non-pharmacological intervention to stimulate bowel motility, to reduce gastrointestinal complications and to enhance early postoperative recovery. Aim: To evaluate the effect of chewing gum on improving gastrointestinal function among women after caesarean section. Methods: A quasi-experimental research design using a nonprobability purposive sampling of a total of 54 women that divided into two groups: study group (sugarless gum chewing) and (control group), each group contained 27 women at the Maternity Teaching Hospital in Sulaymaniyah city. Data were collected using two tools: a structured interviewing questionnaire and an observational checklist for assessing bowel function. Statistical analyses included Fisher’s exact and Spearman’s rank correlation test. Result: Mean time of first hearing of intestinal sound in the chewing gum was 3.21 ± 1.69 as compared to 8.01 ± 4.36 in control group (P ≤ 0.001). Mean time of first passage of flatus in the chewing gum was 3.09 ± 1.28 as compared to 9.01 ± 3.51 in control group (p<0.002). Additionally mean time of first passage of feces in the chewing gum group was 6.05 ± 2.01 as compared to 7.74 ± 4.00 in control group Conclusion: women in the chewing gum group experienced earlier recovery of gastrointestinal functions as compared to those in the control group.
Keywords
Chewing gum; Gastrointestinal status; Post caesarean section; Maternal health

Statistics Article View: 127