QUALITY OF LIFE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF COLOSTOMY PATIENTS
ABSTRACT: Colostomy imposed
multiple impacts on the patient’s life including physical, psychological,
social, and spiritual. This study aims to identify the level of quality of life
as well as to examine the differences of quality of life among colostomy
patients with regards to certain demographic characteristics. Methods: This
study used a cross-sectional and descriptive analytical approach. Seventy-one
colostomy patients were recruited purposively to participate in the study. The
studied variables included quality of life and demographic characteristics. The
data was collected by using the WHO Quality of Life – BREF instrument. One-way
ANOVA and an independent t-test were employed to analyse the differences in
quality of life with regards to certain demographic characteristics. Results:
The study found that the majority of subjects perceived that their level of
quality of life ranged between very low to moderate (77.4%). Satisfaction with
support from friends was rated as the highest item of quality of life, whereas
satisfaction with sexual relationships was rated as the lowest item of quality
of life. There was no significant difference in the patients’ quality of life
with regards to age group, educational background, occupation, length of being
ostomate, sex, and other health problems. Conclusions: The study implied that
nurses need to realise and pay attention to multiple aspects of stoma patient’s
quality of life. Nursing care should not merely focus on stoma care but also
holistically consider on meeting sexual needs, as well as the psychological,
social, and spiritual needs of the patients.
KEYWORDS: colostomy,
demographic characteristics, quality of life
Author: Kusman Ibrahim, SKp.,
MNS., PhD, Ayu Prawesti Priambodo, Aan Nur’aeni, Sri Hendrawati
Journal Code: jpkesmasgg170065
