Introduction

An ostomy represents a potential threat to the dynamics of everyday life, which is expressed by emotional, physical, and social imbalance; therefore, individuals must learn a different modus vivendi and incorporate it into their daily life. Adjusting to a changed body generates responses that reflect in various ways to deal with the new condition, which implies the acquisition of new skills to adjust and move forward ^1-6.

Being colorectal cancer the most common disease and colostomy one of the surgical proposals, the ghost of recurrence, the progression to terminal disease and subsequent death, and the stoma can continuously torment the patient’s thinking, influencing his/her coping strategies and the adjustment process ^1,7,8. However, the fact that an ostomy represents disease control and allows to continue living can ease acceptance as well as transition to psychosocial adjustment ^7,9.

Adjustment includes the individual’s intention and willingness to manage new situations and challenges ¹⁰. The adjustment to an ostomy means that the person will have to reorganize and redirect his/her life, face the changes, and accept new challenges knowing that they have a stoma ^3-5,11-13. If the stoma is permanent it will be with him/her for the rest of his/her lifetime, involving a smooth reformulation of his/her identity, body image, and new or renewed concept of life ^2-5.

Given these assumptions, our research is based on Meleis’ Transitions Theory, considering that ostomy surgery implies a health/illness transition. The conceptual basis of this theory supported the analysis and understanding of the nature of these phenomena and how people cope with changes in their bodies and self-care, as well as the factors associated with the adjustment to the transition to a life with an ostomy. It involves the awareness and commitment of the individual to accept the changes and the recognition of the personal potentials and the environmental resources that will enable them to overcome the transition period and adjust healthily to the new living conditions ¹⁴.

In this context, the potential of nursing therapeutics emerges, improving the strengthening capacities directed to stoma care management and the appropriation of a new sense of life. This empowerment that is built step by step will have an impact on the healthy adjustment to the changes perceived by people who start living with an ostomy. Thus, the incorporation of an ostomy and the reformulation of one’s identity happen, and the health outcomes flow smoothly ¹⁴.

The identification of personal and environmental transition conditions (facilitators and inhibitors) will guide the educational action of nursing to allow the development of skills that help enjoy a more independent, more interactive, and healthier life ¹⁴. Nurses, particularly the enterostomal therapist nurses (ETN), face two major challenges. On the one hand, understanding the transition phase that patients are experiencing; on the other, providing them nursing therapeutics that promote, as far as possible, self-confidence, well-being, and autonomy ^3,11,14.

Several studies emphasize the effect of psychosocial adjustment to the ostomy if stoma nurses take care of patients ^{3,6,11,13,15-20}. If such intervention starts in the preoperative phase and continues after hospital discharge, it will strengthen their early involvement and management of self-care and the construction of more proactive attitudes toward the new life circumstances ^1,18,19. The stoma self-care appropriation will be more effective if teaching strategies are structured and continued ^6,15.

There are numerous studies that analyze changes in self-care after bowel or urinary stoma and its implications for adjustment, discovering positive associations between stoma care autonomy and the adjustment to an ostomy ^12,13.

In this framework, this study was designed to assess the effect of a nursing program in enterostomal therapy (NPET) on ostomy adjustment. Considering the theoretical assumptions, scientific evidence, and purpose of our study, the following hypotheses were defined:

Method

An intervention nursing program (NPET) was created in a previous study, using a mixed-method sequential design, supported by the guidelines of the Medical Research Council for the development and evaluation of complex interventions. The study had two phases:

This research is a quasi-experimental study with a control group ²² and involves an NPET and data collection at two points in time: first and sixth-months after hospital discharge (Table 1).

The sample size was obtained during 2015 and 2016, in nine hospital units in northern Portugal. For the intervention group (IG) subjects from four hospitals with Stomatherapy Nursing Consultation (SNC) were selected and the participants allocated to the control group (CG) were from five hospitals without SNC or ETN. The criteria for inclusion in the sample include individuals hospitalized for ostomy elective surgery or even ostomy palliative surgery; with primary bowel or urinary stoma (temporary or permanent); aged 18 years or older, and study volunteers.

After obtaining their written informed consent in the first assessment, 105 subjects, 72 for the IG and 33 for the CG, comprise the sample. In the second assessment, there were 93 participants, of whom 61 were in the IG and 32 in the CG, with a death rate between both assessments of 15.3 and 3 %, respectively (Figure 1).

Source: Adapted from CONSORT 2010

Figure 1 Flow diagram of study participants as per CONSORT (Northern Portugal) 

During hospitalization, two visits of the ETN were planned in the intervention group to perform the NPET: one preoperative and another postoperative. Additionally, five follow-up consultations were programmed as a minimum for six months after discharge. More consultations could be planned according to the patient’s needs. In the same period, the general nurses provided routine care |to both groups, in all the hospitals involved.

A demographic and clinical characteristics questionnaire and the Elimination Ostomy Adjustment Scale (EOAS) ^23,24 were used as data collection instruments. The instruments were administered to the patients in two assessments: the first and sixth months after hospital discharge. The follow-up decision for this period was based on literature ^{(19, 23)}, mentioning that around three to six months of ostomy experience are enough to develop new self-care skills, as well as a to improve adjustment gradually. Open-ended questions about self-care autonomy before surgery, co-morbidities, and causal disease were assessed in the first moment.

The EOAS was developed for this study in two phases:

The EOAS contains 35 items that measure six ostomy adjustment domains: Self-concept, Self-care, Positive Acceptance, Negative Acceptance, Social/Religious Support, and Sexual Interaction, operationalized on a 7-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 = strongly disagree to 7 = totally agree. Fifteen items are reverse coded. In the original study, the Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of the six domains were between 0.85-0.61, while the overall scale was 0.87.

The results are organized in a way that generates a score for each domain and on a global scale. To identify the mean scores, we used a formula that transforms the averages obtained into scores from 0 to 100. A higher mean score corresponds to a more favorable ostomy adjustment.

Descriptive statistics were used with absolute frequency and percentage data of categorical variables to describe the sample profile. The calculation of position and dispersion measures (mean, standard deviation) was used for the continuous variables. To analyze the differences between the mean scores of two groups, independent sample t-test and paired sample t-test were used to analyze the effect size, with a margin of error of 5% (p ≤ 0.05) and a confidence level of 95% ²⁵. All data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 22.0.

The research was conducted according to Decree-Law No. 97/95 of the Portuguese Republic, which regulates health ethics commissions, and approved by the ethics committees of the hospitals involved. For the administration of the instruments, verbal and written consent was requested from the participants. Anonymity and confidentiality of responses were ensured, and the Informed Consent Form was provided.

Results

In the first assessment (Table 2), the CG on average was older than the IG, 63, 55 ± 10.13 years and 58, 38 ± 16.35 years, respectively. In the IG, men predominated (58.3 %) while in the CG, women did (60.6 %). Most had completed the 1^st cycle of basic education (IG, 77.8 % and CG, 90.9 %). Most of them were retired, although 47.2 % of the IG participants and 27.3 % of CG still practiced a profession. The majority were married/cohabiting (58.3 % of the IG and 60.6 % of the CG). Approximately 28 % of IG and 36 % of CG were a widow(er), separated, or divorced. No variables showed statistical differences.

The members from the hospitals with SNC (IG subjects) received preoperative information from both the nurse and the surgeon (100 and 97.2 %, respectively). In contrast, at hospitals without SNC (CG subjects), only 12.1 % of them received information from the nurse and 66.7 % from the surgeon. Regarding demographic variables, the groups were statistically equivalent (p > 0.05) in age, gender, marital status, education level, and occupation. Significant differences were observed in the preoperative information.

In this data collection, concerning clinical variables (Table 3), the colostomy predominated in CG (75.8%) and in IG (50%). Most of IG subjects (62.5 %) had a permanent ostomy. In both groups, cancer was the most predominant as causal disease. The most frequent co-morbidities were hypertension, heart disease, and type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Before surgery, all participants were independent as to their personal hygiene, using the toilet and having meals.

In the second assessment, 45.9 % of IG and a great part of the CG (68.7 %) were receiving a complementary treatment (chemotherapy or chemotherapy and radiotherapy). Regarding the stoma site marking, 86.9 % of the IG subjects and 76.7 % of the CG confirmed the stoma was properly located. Likewise, 65.6 % of the IG and 44 % of CG used a mirror to see the stoma. As to the complications in the ostomy and the peristomal skin area, 85 % of the IG did not mention any kind of problem, although 59.4 % of the CG did. The most referred complications by the participants of the two groups are redness/erythema (42.6 %) and stomal pain (16.2 %).

Concerning clinical variables, the groups were statistically equivalent (p > 0.05) for stoma site properly located and use of the mirror, while statistically different for duration and type of stoma, stomal and peristomal skin complication, complementary treatments, and stoma site marking.

In the first assessment (first month after hospital discharge), statistically significant differences were not observed in the EOAS global score; significant differences were noticed only in the Social/Religious Support domain (t₍₉₇₎ = 3.121; p < 0.01), with the highest score in the control group (Table 4).

Regarding the second assessment (the sixth month after hospital discharge), statistically significant differences were found between the two groups on the total scale (t₍₇₃₎ = -3.679; p = 0.000) and in four out of the six dimensions, (p < 0.01), except Social/Religious support and Sexual Interaction (Table 4).

Between the first and second assessments (Table 5), statistical differences were observed in the IG, both in the EOAS (t₍₃₈₎ = -5.075; p < 0.001) and in its domains (Negative Acceptance, Sexual Interaction, and Self-care, p < 0.001; Self-concept, Positive Acceptance, and Social/Religious Support, p < 0.05). It was found that Sexual Interaction domain deteriorated between the first and second assessments. Contrariwise, the CG exhibited no significant differences between the two assessments, both in the overall scale score and in most of its domains. The stoma Self-care domain was the exception; it showed statistically significant improvements between the first and the second assessments, while the Sexual Interaction domain, just as in the IG, worsened with significant differences in the second assessment.

Discussion

In the first month after hospital discharge, despite the significant effects associated with the causative disease and the stoma, the psychosocial and functional adaptation to the new life circumstances was similarly perceived by and satisfactory to both groups. It is legitimate to admit that the nurses of the clinical contexts, where both IG and CG participants were hospitalized, were sensitized to the particular care for these patients, preparing them to return home. On the other hand, the belief in the self-control of the disease and the ostomy has been positively correlated with the development of autonomy in the first weeks, even without professional and specific help ¹⁶, which explains the results obtained in the CG.

The expectation that the adjustment to an ostomy will be sensitive to ETN care and, therefore, more favorable in the IG was not verified. The adjustment process is not easy or quick, which is a reasonable explanation for the absence of differences between both groups one month after hospital discharge. This illustrates that adjustment requires time and continued interdisciplinary care, integrating psychological aspects and support in coping with the stoma ^4,5,14.

Comparing the groups six months after hospital discharge, both were different, being the adjustment to the ostomy significantly better in the IG. The differences were found both in the overall score of EOAS and in its components (Self-concept, Positive Acceptance, Negative Acceptance, and Self-care). It is presumed, by our findings, that IG participants accepted their health condition better, had a higher self-concept, were more confident in managing their daily lives, and were more effective in the stoma self-care than the CG. Searching for or provide social/religious support to solve daily life problems was similar in both groups, being the CG more active in the first month after hospital discharge. The demand for social support is widely described as one of the strongest coping strategies for facing change and challenges. It revealed to be a protection factor of the individual identity and a promoter of healthy transition, predicting a better psychosocial adjustment when people experience critical moments such as the creation of a stoma ^13,14. We cannot forget the ETN intervention is a kind of social support that IG received, which is why it was attached importance by both groups.

The assessment between the first and sixth month after hospital discharge showed significant improvements in the adjustment to the stoma in the intervention group. For this positive evolution, all EOAS domains contributed significantly. Like other studies showing the association of ostomy care autonomy with high levels of psychosocial adjustment, the adjustment is built in a complex relationship among ostomy acceptance, less discomfort and reluctance to social interaction, and more effective stoma self-care ^12,13.

In the control group, the interpretation of the results did not indicate statistically significant changes in the global ostomy adjustment between the two assessments, indicating that their adaptive course was not modified from the first to the second assessments. However, the adoption of new behaviors in ostomy care management was ensured, which was significantly improving over time.

Sexual Interaction stands out as one of the most fragile dimensions, progressively deteriorating in both groups. Our results overlap previous studies, concluding that the ostomy effects on sexual life tend to persist over time. It causes great emotional suffering due to concerns for body image and deterioration or loss of the sexual function, thus influencing the way people express and live their sexuality ^{1,2,5,8,26-28}. Additionally, the impaired sexual function can derive from the surgical approach itself. In the IG, a significant percentage of patients remained with a permanent ostomy. It is known that this type of ostomy, generally associated with extensive surgeries, which can damage or remove fundamental organic structures, has transient or permanent collateral damage in sexual performance in both men and women ²⁹. On the contrary, the temporary ostomy dominated the CG that, despite not having such a harmful potential on the physiological structures, suggests people opt for a break in their sexual activity until the stoma closure.

Moreover, the perspective of stoma closure in the near future causes individuals to over-value its reversibility and not to try to adapt. It may happen that the uncertainty about their permanence or closure can make them more vulnerable to fear, anxiety, and feelings of unhappiness, conditioning their daily lives and postponing personal projects ^20,30.

Another finding, six months after hospital discharge, is that there was still a considerable percentage of subjects from both the IG and the CG in the complementary treatment of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. The harmful effect of complementary therapy on sexuality is well known ²⁷.

The cited literature emphasizes the need for better nursing care regarding the sexuality of patients with an ostomy, not only during admission but also during continued care. It refers to a great lack of information, reinforcing the need for a better professional qualification both in the field of knowledge and in clinical competence ^9,26. Cultural and age aspects are very important and should be explored ^16,30. Being a very sensitive human dimension to the harmful effects of ostomy surgery, it requires an oriented and meticulous intervention by health professionals, particularly stoma nurses. It is important to note that the percentage of “no answer” in this area (16.4 % in the IG and 28.12 % CG) may have conditioned the current study findings. On the other hand, sexual function was not probed before the surgery.

Although the ileostomy is more frequent in the IG, peristomal skin complications prevailed in the CG. In both groups, erythema and stomal pain were the most reported, being these results confirmed by other studies ^16,31. The stomal and peristomal skin complications have a longer transition process, both because of its prevalence and severity, and may be deteriorating their comfort and well-being and consequently, their quality of life ³¹.

Based on the patients’ perceptions, the general interpretation of this study results revealed that those who received continuous and systematized stoma care since the preoperative period to the follow-up after leaving the hospital gradually showed higher levels of knowledge of and skills for stoma care, significantly improving their self-care management, social interactions, and self-concept. Probably, the progressive integration of the ostomy into their daily lives improved their self-esteem and body image, positively influencing the psychosocial adjustment ¹⁴ between the first and sixth months after hospital discharge. The group that received conventional nursing care did not show evolution in their perception of ostomy adjustment.

These results are similar to other studies that used a control group when observing the benefits of ETN in increased stoma care proficiency and the reduction of peristomal skin complications ^16,31. By providing preoperative and follow-up information and individualized assistance, ETN also increases patient’s self-confidence and autonomy, contributing to a more quickly psychosocial adjustment, compared to the group that received usual care ^17,30.

It can be inferred from these results that the NPET positively influenced the course of the transition for adjustment to the ostomy, being its contribution visible in the sixth month after hospital discharge.

Globally, healthier outcome indicators are present in IG, such as those perceived in ostomy acceptance, positive self-concept, and self-care proficiency, experiencing a comparatively more positive transition process than CG people. Thus, systematized nursing therapeutics, as a complement, helped the IG to become autonomous in stoma care and better manage other life changes, promoting a healthier adjustment ¹⁴.

The results of this study allowed us to better understand how some people with an ostomy interpret changes in their health and life, and how the structured and continuous nursing intervention received can influence their adjustment to the new condition.

Conclusion

It was confirmed that people who benefited from an organized and continuous ETN intervention from preoperative to follow-up care experienced significant improvements in adjusting to the stoma between the first and the sixth month after hospital discharge. These improvements were significantly higher compared to those patients who did not have this intervention (CG), as they maintained improvement levels similar to those of the first assessment.

As a final note, it is possible to assume that the changes and differences in the adjustment to an ostomy perceived by the intervention group compared to the control group between the first and sixth month after discharge were sensitive to the effects of the systematized ETN intervention on research participants.