Assessment of Embarrassments to Safety Aspects of Life of Patients after Performing Colostomy Operations, in Two Egyptian Societies

• Main Authors: Samia K Abd El-Rahman, Sohier A Abdel Ali
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Alexandria University 2011-12-01
• Series: Journal of High Institute of Public Health
• Subjects: assessment; colostomy; operations; old adults; safety life style; egyptian societies.

Background: Stoma operations have been shown to be associated with a lot of body life style and emotional alterations which affect the safety aspects of life of patients after performing colostomy. Colostomies or ileostomies are performed to people of different ages ranging from infants to the elderly for different causes. Whether the stoma is permanent or temporary, it is difficult to adjust patients and their partners. This study is carried out among those who had stoma, and focused on their understanding the frustrations and fears of the patients. Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to study patients' perspective positive aspects of practicing colostomy. The study will also help to answer the stoma patients' worrying questions and identify the most frequent problems that affect their safety aspects of life negatively. Methods: The study enrolled 75 adults and old adult patients who performed colostomy operation. They included both sexes attending outpatient clinics of the two study settings. Patients were taken from two hospitals in Alexandria and one hospital in El-Menia . A structured questionnaire interview was done to obtain information on patients. Stoma examination was done to assess the lumen mucosa and its functions and the skin around the stoma. Altered sexual life and its psychological responses were assessed by asking the patients directly. Results: The results revealed that half of the patients (50.8%) were old adults ( 40 years) with mean score 37.81±13.13. Married patients constituted 54% while unmarried were 29 (46%) with mean score of 2.38±0.02. Illiterate and read and write patients collectively represented half of the patients(30.2% and 20.6% respectively). The relationship between diagnosis, types of colostomy and pouching system and gender was not statistically significant. Similarly, the relationship between diagnosis, types of colostomy pouching system, educational level and setting was not statistically significant. All aspects of sexual & psychological alteration and gender showed highly statistically significant difference. Conclusion: 53.3% of ostomy operations were done for male cancer and 46.7% for females. Postoperative sexual dysfunction was common in both sexes due to presence of stoma, stress, difficulty to reach orgasm, dryness, erectile dysfunction and infertility. These alterations lead to a negative impact on patients' safety and quality of life.