Quality of Life in Patients Living with Stoma

BACKGROUND: Background and Objective: Quality of life of patients can be affected a treatment. A good quality of life is essential to achieve a goal in treating patients. This study aims to assess stoma related quality of life. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was done at St. Paul's Hospital millennium Medical College from February 1 to July 31, 2019. A structured questionnaire was used to interview patients and review charts of patients to retrieve information on sociodemographic variables, type, and indications of the stoma. Data was collected using structured questionnaire adopted from the City of Hope and Beckman Research Institute after modifications to make it in line with the Ethiopian context. RESULTS: The mean score for the overall quality of life for stomata was 7.42 +/- 0.53. Around 70% of patients have adjusted their dietary style due to stoma. More than half of them reported feelings of depression following stoma surgery. Only 34% of patients resumed sexual activity and only 11% were satisfied with it. None of them were enrolled in stoma association or support group. Factors such as type of ostomy (temporary/permanent), adjustment in dietary style due to stoma, depression, change in diet for not passing gas in public, and change in clothing style had significant effects on overall quality of life and its subscales (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that living with stoma has a greater impact on the overall aspect of quality of life.