Hope Level and Life Satisfaction among Patients with Colostomy and their Family caregivers

Patients anticipating colostomy surgery have many concerns, needs, and fears. They may be physically debilitated and emotionally distraught with concerns about life changes after surgery, prognosis, as well as ability to perform in established roles and finances. This type of surgery which affects normal bowel function and necessitates bowel movements in a pouch that lies outside the body has a significant impact on hope level and life satisfaction among both temporary and permanent colostomy patients as well as their family caregivers. The aim of the current study was to assess hope level and life satisfaction among patients with colostomy and their family caregivers. A descriptive exploratory research design was utilized. A total of 76 colostomy patients and a same number of their family caregivers were recruited in the study from four general surgical wards at El Manial University Hospital affiliated to Cairo University. Three tools were utilized to collect data of this study namely: A structured Questionnaire sheet, Hope Scale (Synder, 1995), as well as Life satisfaction scale (Diener, Emmons, Larsen, & Griffin, 1985). The study findings revealed that temporary colostomy patients were complaining from low hope level and satisfaction with life than permanent colostomy patients. Regardless the type of colostomy and by time, hope level and satisfaction with life in family caregivers of both groups were decreased dramatically along the three assessments (at one week after colostomy surgery, ten days after discharge, and two months after discharge). No statistically significant differences were found in relation to life satisfaction among family caregivers of permanent colostomy patients in the second and third assessment. The same finding was observed between permanent colostomy patients and their family caregivers in the third assessment in relation to hope level. The study recommended that Hope Intervention program should be developed for colostomy patients especially temporary group. Further researches were also recommended focusing on needs assessment for family caregivers of temporary and permanent colostomy patients. Key words: Hope level, life satisfaction, patients with colostomy, family caregivers

Concerns Regarding Organ Donation among Adult Patients with Different Health Problems in Egypt

Organ donation is the charitable act or gift of an organ to help someone who needs a transplant. Some people have religious or cultural objections to donate organs. The study aimed to describe basic knowledge and attitude (concerns) regarding organ donation among adult patients with different medical surgical health problems in Cairo-Egypt. Sample: A Convenient sample of 1000 adult patients with different health problems from different urban and rural areas was recruited for this study. Design: A descriptive comparative research design was utilized to fulfill the aim of the study and answer the stated research questions. Setting: The study was conducted at ten medical surgical wards at one educational hospital, affiliated to Cairo University. Tools: Two tools were utilized to collect data pertinent to the study which are: Personal Structured Questionnaire, and Structured Questionnaire about Basic Knowledge, and Attitudes regarding Organ Donation. Results: The study findings revealed that both urban and rural inhabitants’ patients were nearly equal regarding their knowledge and attitude toward organ donation. Current study findings showed no statistical significant difference in familiarity about the term of organ donation among study sample. Regarding attitude toward organ donation, no statistical significant differences were found among study sample in their willingness about organ donation regardless the physical condition as well as religion. Conclusion: The study concluded that being an urban or rural inhabitant didn’t affect the willingness to donate an organ but it significantly affected the level of knowledge regarding organ donation.  Recommendations: Replication of the study regarding organ donation on larger probability sample as the ensuing improved understanding of this process can be used to inform and develop clinical practice and future research in this area.  Keywords: Concerns, knowledge, attitude, organ donation, health problems