IMPACT OF THE LEVEL OF EDUCATION ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF COLOSTOMY PATIENTS

Colorectal cancer is the most common cancer of abdominal visceral organs. The basic principle of management is radical surgery, but an early detection while still asymptomatic is the only way to decrease the mortality rates. The aim of this study was to assess some aspects of life of colostomy patients related to their level of education. The study enrolled 67 patients of both genders who were followed up at the Specialist Polyclinic after colostomy surgery at the Clinical Center of Vojvodina. The quality of life for patients with colostomy questionnaire by M. Grant was used. Most of the patients had health insurance which covered all the expenses for colostomy care. They were not sexually deprived after surgery; most of them did not change their clothing style, but they changed their diet which they did not practice regularly. They got used to daily colostomy care a few days after surgery, it took them less than 30 minutes for daily colostomy care, and the problems few patients had were due to carelessness. Despite the fact that stoma education is provided by health care professionals, it is necessary to encourage stoma patients to get involved in stoma centres or self-help groups, which would have a positive impact on their quality of life. Acta Medica Medianae 2017;56(1):75-81.