Self-care knowledge in patients with intestinal stomas in a selected hospital in the south of Viet Nam: A descriptive cross-sectional study

Background: Intestinal stomas are surgical interventions that have an impact on both physical
and psychological health, necessitating patient self-care. Insufficient knowledge regarding
peristomal skin care, prevention, and treatment of potential problems can lead to an increase
in stoma-related complications.
Objective: This study aimed to assess patients’ knowledge of self-care for intestinal stomas
and examine the relationship between background information and self-care knowledge.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2021 to
December 2022 at the Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital in Vietnam,
involving 74 participants with intestinal stomas. A questionnaire consisting of 24 closed-ended
questions was used to evaluate participants' knowledge of self-care for intestinal stomas.
Descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and Fisher’s exact tests were employed for data analysis.
Results: The findings revealed that 54.1% of participants had good knowledge of general selfcare for intestinal stomas. The distribution of good knowledge among participants was as
follows: basic knowledge (66.2%), self-care practice (56.8%), recognizing and managing
complications (31.1%), and dietary knowledge (64.8%). Significant relationships were
observed between participants’ self-care knowledge and their education level (p = 0.002),
marital status (p = 0.017), nurses’ education (p = 0.021), and hospitalization (p = 0.001).
Conclusion: The proportion of participants with good knowledge of self-care for intestinal
stomas was relatively low, and it was associated with individuals' education level, marital
status, nurses’ education, and hospitalization. This study highlights the need for ongoing
development of educational programs on self-care for intestinal stomas. These programs
should be tailored to address the specific needs of each patient and aim to improve their selfcare knowledge in a meaningful and sustainable manner. By investing in patient education,
healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, can assist individuals with intestinal stomas in
achieving better outcomes and preventing potential complications.