Fatma Vural

The Impact of an Ostomy on the Sexual Lives of Persons With Stomas: A Phenomenological Study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the lived experiences of persons with stomas related to sexual function and perceptions and their expectations of the ostomy nurses who care for them. DESIGN: Qualitative, phenomenological study. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: Fourteen persons living with an ostomy for least 2 months participated in the study. Data collection occurred at the ostomy and wound care unit at Dokuz Eylul University Hospital in Izmir, Turkey. METHODS: Data were collected using an in-depth interview method. Interviews lasted from 20 to 60 minutes and were audiotaped. These recordings were transcribed and subjected to content analysis. RESULTS: Five themes emerged from the unstructured interviews: (1) changes in sexual life; (2) changes in body image; (3) fear and anxiety experienced during sexual intercourse; (4) psychological impact of sexual problems; and (5) expectations concerning sexual counseling from ostomy nurses. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings suggest that persons with ostomies experience changes in their body image, along with a decrease in sexual desire. Respondents described avoiding sexual intercourse, and abstained from sleeping with their partners. Male respondents described erectile dysfunction, and female respondents reported pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia). Participants stated that they did not feel adequately informed about these problems and desired to receive more information and support from ostomy nurses regarding sexual issues. Based on these findings, we recommend that ostomy nurses provide more counseling concerning sexual function and challenges following ostomy surgery.

Psychometric Properties of the Body Image Scale in Turkish Ostomy Patients

PURPOSE To investigate the validity and reliability of the Body Image Scale in Turkish ostomy patients. METHODS This study has a methodological and cross-sectional design. A hundred patients with ostomy lasting for at least 2 months were recruited from an ostomy and wound care unit. FINDINGS Confirmatory factor analyses showed that goodness-of-fit indexes were acceptable. Exploratory factor analyses showed that factor loadings of the scale items varied between 0.74 and 0.91, and a single factor was determined. The Cronbachs alpha value of the scale was 0.94. Item-to-total correlation coefficients ranged from 0.75 to 0.91. CONCLUSION The Turkish version of the Body Image Scale is a valid and reliable tool for evaluating body image in Turkish ostomy patients.

Ergonomics: An Important Factor in the Operating Room:

There is a mutual interaction between health and the workplace. Health affects the capacity to work and working conditions affect a workers health. Operating rooms (ORs) are stressful, complex settings in which there are ergonomic risk factors, such as lifting/moving heavy equipment. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) can arise due to unhealthy ergonomic conditions. Our study showed that nurses had been absent from work and/or retired early due to WRMSDs. Good ergonomic conditions in ORs increase nurses’ occupational health and safety, their job satisfaction and performance. These factors contribute to patient care outcomes in a positive way.