Profile of ostomy patients residing in Pouso Alegre city

The objective was to characterize the clientele of ostomy patients living in Pouso Alegre, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Among the causes that led patients to acquire an ostomy, the most prevalent was neoplasia; the type of ostomy was a permanent colostomy. Most people were not told that they would be submitted to the stoma. In addition, individuals were not subject to stoma demarcation, and irrigation was not performed. Regarding the type of complication, 34 (48.60%) had dermatitis; 14 (20%), retraction; and 13 (18.60%), prolapse. With respect to stoma diameter, 34 (48.60%) had 20-40 mm and 23 (32.90%), 40-60 mm. With this study, we became aware of the profile of ostomized patients treated at the municipality of Pouso Alegre/MG; it is expected that, with these data, the improvement of care to this population can be subsidized. We suggest that nursing professionals think of health action strategies with respect to guidance on stoma manufacture and to measures aiming for the prevention of possible complications, promoting ways to help these patients to make decisions and to verbalize feelings, so that they feel supported in coping with changes in their body image, for the sake of survival

Assessment of subjective well-being and quality of life in patients with intestinal stoma

ABSTRACTObjective:To investigate the subjective well-being and quality of life in patients with intestinal stoma.Method:This study was conducted at Ostomized People's Pole of Pouso Alegre. Data were collected in the period between December 2012 and May 2013, after approval by the Ethics Committee of the Universidade do Vale do Sapucaí under opinion No. 23,277. The participants were selected by a convenience non-probability sampling. The following instruments were used: a questionnaire on demographics and stoma; a Subjective Well-being Scale; and a Quality Outcome Scale.Results:Regarding the Flanagan Quality of Life Scale, 16-22 points were obtained, indicating that these patients suffered changes in their quality of life. Regarding the scale of subjective well-being in three domains: positive affect - 43 (61.40%) individuals; negative affect - 31 (44.30%) individuals; and life satisfaction - 54 (77.10%), all subjects obtained a score of 3, characterizing a negative change in these domains. The mean Flanagan Quality of Life Scale score was 26.16, and the means for the domains included in the Subjective Well-being Scale were: positive affect: 2.51; negative affect: 2.23 and life satisfaction: 2.77, indicating that the intestinal stoma users who participated in the study had negative feelings related to their own self-esteem and to the loss of quality of life.Conclusion:Patients with intestinal stoma who participated in this study had a change in their quality of life and in subjective well-being