Abstract
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of self-management program on the patients' knowledge and practice regarding stoma care. Methods: A purposeful sample consisted of 90 adults with stoma was examined. A pre/post quasi-experimental research design was followed. The setting: The general surgery department and adult surgery outpatient Clinic in Damietta University Hospital. Data collection tools included a structured interview questionnaire (demographic data of patients, their medical history, and their knowledge about stoma), and an observational checklist to assess the patients' practices regarding stoma care. In addition to a self-management program. Results: The mean age of the studied adults was 47.9± years. Two-thirds of participants were males (65 %) and educated ( 67 %). About two thirds of them (63 %) had bowel cancer, and the majority (94 %) had no family history of stoma. There was a highly significant difference in the patients' levels of knowledge in pre/immediate, post, and after one month of discharge (P<0.001). There was a highly significant improvement in the patients' level of practice regarding procedures of stoma care in pre/immediate, post, and after one month of discharge (P<0.001). Conclusions: The studied adult patients' knowledge and practice regarding stoma care significantly improved after exposure to the self-management program. Recommendations: Adult patients with stoma should receive adequate and continuous education regarding ostomy self-care, lifestyle changes, and self-efficacy. Medical and surgical nurse should provide the adult patient with adequate knowledge, and training about stoma care.