Investigation of relationship between body image and adaptation of stoma in patients with ostomy

Aim: This study is a descriptive study to investigate the relationship between body image and adaptation of individuals to stoma in patients with an ostomy. Materials and Method: This study was performed gastrointestinal diseases outpatient clinics and inpatient surgical wards between March-July 2019 in VKV Koç University Hospital.The sample of the study consisted of 78 individuals with an intestinal stoma that met the sampling criteria and agreed to voluntarily participate in the study. The data were collected using individual identifier form, Ostomy Adjustment Inventory (OAI) and Body Image Scale. Scientific ethics committee permission was obtained to conduct this study. In the analysis of the data; Student's t-test, one-way ANOVA analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, non-parametric Mann Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis test were used. Findings: The average age of patients was 52.37±15.71, 56.4% were male, with 42.3% bachelor graduated. Nearly half of the patients (46.2 %) were found to have colostomy due to rectum cancer, more than half (65.4%) had a stoma type colostomy and it was found that 51.3% had a temporary stoma and 37.2% had been living with a stoma for 4-6 months. Total point average of OAI was 54.33±16.33, item point average was 2.43±0.79; and also total point average of Body Image Scale was 15.62±8.22, item point average was 1.44 ±1.20. In this study; it was found that there was a negative significant relationship between the total scores of the OAI and the BI total score (p <0.001). It was found that individuals who had "ileostomy'' and who performed stoma care themselves had higher mean OAI score. And, both OBUI and BIM scores were higher in patients with known as have their stoma (p <0.05). Conclusion: In this study, it was found that there was a relationship between body image perception and compliance of the patients with a stoma. The patients with ileostomy and the patients performing stoma care themselves were found to be better than the other groups. In addition, it was determined that individuals who are known to have their stoma, had a better perception of harmony and body image. Keywords; Body image; ostomy; adaptation; stoma