The impact of self-care ability on the caregiver burden inpatients with stomas

This descriptively designed study was conducted to evaluate the impact of self-care ability in patients with stomas on the burden experienced by their caregivers. The study population comprised 63 patients with stomas and their primary caregivers, who presented to the General Surgery Clinic at the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health Sultan 2. Abdülhamid Han Education and Research Hospital between April 18, 2024, and June 10, 2024. A total of 58 patients who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate were included in the study. Ethical committee and institutional approvals were obtained. Data were collected using patient and caregiver descriptive forms, the Karnofsky Performance Scale, the Self-Care Ability Scale (Nahcivan, 1994), and the Caregiver Burden Scale (İnci, 2006) and analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. The study results indicated no statistically significant correlation between caregiver burden and patients' self-care ability (p>0.05). However, a statistically significant and positive relationship was observed between patients' self-care ability and performance levels (r=0.302; p=0.021). There was a statistically significant difference in self-care ability according to the income level (F=5.775; p=0.005). Among actively employed patients, self-care ability scores were higher (t=2.137; p=0.037) and caregiver burden scores were lower (t=3.407; p=0.001). Patients with comorbidities had significantly lower self-care ability (t=2.636; p=0.011) and higher caregiver burden (t=2.394; p=0.020) scores. Caregivers of patients with permanent stomas had significantly higher caregiver burden (t=2.014; p=0.049). Furthermore, patients who imposed high levels of caregiver burden had significantly lower self-care ability scores (t=2.313; p=0.024). In conclusion, while the self-care ability of patients with stomas does not directly affect the caregiver burden, patients who impose a higher burden tend to have lower self-care abilities.