ABSTRACT

Objective

This research is a descriptive study and was conducted to assess problems of stoma patients they face at home in accordance with “Model of Living”.

Methods

The research was carried out in a hospital in İstanbul. The sample of the study consisted of 70 patients who underwent stoma surgery in the surgical clinics of this hospital between 2013 and 2014. Data were collected through the “Individual Characteristics Form” and the “Daily Living Activities Form”. The analysis of the research was done using descriptive statistical methods, Pearson chi-square test and Fisher exact test.

Results

The average age of the participants was 57.1 (21-87), half of them were women, 77.1% were married and 87.1% were primary school graduates. In addition, it was determined that 70% of the participants had a stoma due to colorectal cancer and a similar rate had a stoma for a temporary period. Problems experienced by patients in daily living activities include regulating nutrition (64%), restricting liquids and food (51%), changing clothing style (54%), leaking from the stoma bag (62%), skin problems (63%), psychological breakdown (70%) and disruption of sleep patterns (64%).

Conclusion

It was determined that the life model was effective in determining the problems of patients with stoma because it was based on the experiences of all healthy or sick individuals, and that the daily living activities of the patients in the study were affected due to stoma and they experienced many problems at home. According to the results obtained, our recommendations are to monitor stoma patients and their families at home and to repeat training on life with a stoma.