• Yasin Ssewanyana, Badru Ssekitooleko, Bashir Suuna, Emmanuel Bua, Joseph Wadeya, Timothy K Makumbi, William Ocen, and Kizito Omona.
• Department of Surgery, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda. yasinsewa@gmail.com Tel; +256774988991.
• Afr Health Sci. 2021 Mar 1; 21 (1): 427-436.

IntroductionIntestinal stomas remain important life-saving surgical options in a wide range of gastrointestinal pathologies globally. Living with a stoma has potential to impair the patient's quality of life, often with associated negative psychological effects.ObjectiveTo evaluate the quality of life among intestinal stoma patients under Mulago National Referral Hospital (MNRH), with emphasis on psychological effects and effects on family-social interactions.MethodologyA cross-sectional study carried out at surgical outpatient clinics of MNRH between January and June 2018. Data was collected using Stoma-QOL questionnaire, PHQ-9 and GAD-7 from 51 participants who had lived with intestinal stomas for at least a month.ResultsOf the 51 participants, male: female ratio was 4:1 and aged 18-84 years (mean age 44.04+18.47 years). 76.5% had colostomy; 23.5% had ileostomy. Majority (88.2%) had temporary stomas. The overall mean Stoma-QOL score was 55.12+ 17.04. Only about a quarter (24%) of participants had Stoma-QOL scores >70 (best). Most patients exhibited negative psychological effects (anxiety-100%, concerns about changed body image - 96.1% and depression - 88.4%).ConclusionMost participants had low levels of stoma-related quality of life, suffered negative psychological effects and exhibited limited social interactions. This calls for efforts to support Stoma patients adapt beter life.© 2021 Ssewanyana Y et al.

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