Jordanian ostomates' health problems and self-care ability to manage their intestinal ostomy: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Ostomates have several physical, psychological and social health problems. These problems negatively impact the ostomates' quality of life. Aims This study aims to identify Jordanian ostomates' health problems and their self-care ability to manage their ostomies. Methods This is a cross-sectional study. A convenience sampling method was used to recruit 168 Jordanian patients with intestinal ostomies. A self-report questionnaire was used to collect the data. Results On average, the participants’ physiological ostomy-related problem scores were 8.76 ± 2.37 (out of 13 problems) and the total score of self-care ability to manage their ostomies was 16.56 ± 2.62 (out of 24). About 22% of the participants had ‘moderately severe’ to ‘severe’ depression (nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire score ≥15) and 33.9% had ‘moderate’ to ‘severe’ anxiety (seven-item General Anxiety Disorder questionnaire score ≥10). About half of the participants had exposure to teaching and/or training about ostomy care. About 85% of participants were willing to attend health education and training programmes about ostomy care. There was a significant correlation between high ostomates’ self-care ability to manage their ostomies and a low number of physiological health problems ( r = −0.67, p = 0.04), a low depression (Patient Health Questionnaire 9) score ( r = −0.54, p = 0.039) and a low anxiety (seven-item General Anxiety Disorder questionnaire) score ( r = −0.71, p < 0.027). Conclusions Health teaching and training about intestinal ostomy management, psychosocial support, follow-up assessment and treatment for ostomy-related problems are recommended for all ostomates.