Living with a stoma: the experiences and needs of colorectal cancer patients and their families

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2021

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Maguy, Ndaya Mukendi

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Abstract

Colorectal cancer, a disease characterised by a malignant growth anywhere along the colon or rectum, is the fourth most common cancer in terms of incidence and responsible for deaths throughout the world, which signifies a complex public health problem. Stoma creation remains an important treatment option for colorectal cancer, but it has a considerable impact on a patient’s life afterwards. South Africa, as one of the developing countries, is affected by colorectal cancer due to lifestyle causes such as diet low in fibre and high in fat and calories, smoking and alcohol use. Despite the severe problems and consequences of living with a stoma, little is known about the experiences and needs of the colorectal cancer patients living with a stoma and their families in South Africa. Aim of the study: The study is aimed at describing the experience and needs of the colorectal cancer patients living with a stoma and their families, treated at an academic hospital in Gauteng, South Africa. Design and methods: A descriptive qualitative design was utilised for the conducting of this study. The accessible population comprised all colorectal cancer patients living with a stoma and their families, as identified by these patients. Purposive sampling selected the sample, and the sample size was determined by data saturation. The inclusion criteria were 18 years and older, ability to speak basic English and willingness to participate. The conducting of in-depth interviews was conducted to gather the data. The data were analysed by means of qualitative content analysis. Findings: Twenty stoma patients (n=20) and twenty (n=20) family members took part in the study. Four themes arose from the data: living with the physical consequences of a stoma, living with the psychosocial consequences of a stoma, the religious/spiritual consequences of having a stoma and the unmet needs. Conclusion: Living with a stoma affected patients’ lives dramatically. The self-care education they received did not prevent some from soiling themselves; they therefore needed help from family members to care for their stomas; they feared the stoma would surprise them and isolated themselves from social contact. They expressed the need for home-based nursing to eliminate trial and error at home. For family members, having to care for the person with the stoma changed the lives they were used to. Some forget to take care of themselves, whilst others lost their jobs during the caring period.

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research report submitted n fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Nursing to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, 2021.

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