Purpose:

Colostomy and ileostomy which are created because of various reasons change not only defecation funtaction but also effect self-esteem, intimacy, freedom, sexual life, body and social image and feeling of productivity of patients.

With this study, we aimed to investigate self-esteem of people with colostomy and ileostomy in pre-operative, postoperative first week and post-operative second month.

Method:

This study was consisted of patients admitted to Colorectal Unit of Surgery Clinic, Dokuz Eylül University Hospital, between 15.07.2006 and 15.01.2007. In this period, 93 patients were given questionnaire form which determines the socio-demographical peculiarity and Coopersmith Self-Esteem Scala. In the first week and second month after surgery, 18 patients who had stoma were asked to fill the questionnaires again.

Results:

Average age of patients was 59.14±13.22. 79.6 % of them was married, 34.4 % was graduated from primary education, 82.2 % of patients lived in small family, income of 79.6 % of them was equal to their expenditure, 88.2 % had child, 68.8 % haven’t developed any cancer disease. 72.2 % of patients who had stoma did not received chemotherapy or radiotherapy, 55.5% had ileostomy and 50% had temporarily stoma.

Average of self-esteem score of patients before surgery was 76.62±14.05, average of self-esteem score of patients with colostomy or ileostomy before surgery was 66.88±16.22, average of self-esteem point of patient with colostomy or ileostomy after surgery in the first week was 71.56±15.20, average of self-esteem point of patient with colostomy or ileostomy after surgery in the second month was 73.11±15.51.

It was found that there was no relation between self-esteem and socio-demographical characteristics such as age, martial status, family structure, having child or not, position of income and expenditure. Self-esteem was found not to be affected by the diagnosis, whether they had chemotherapy or radiotherapy, the stoma’s being colostomy or ileostomy and stoma’s being temporary or permanent. There was only relation between self-esteem point and education level.

Conclusion:

The major limitation of the study is the small number of patients who had stoma. We found that having colostomy or ileostomy have no negative effect on the individuals’ self-esteem. This result could be explained with the elderly patient population of the study.

Keywords: Colostomy, Ileostomy, Self-esteem