Vivência de pessoas com estomas: superações e desafios.

Abstract

The person living with some type of stoma needs to learn how to deal with the handling of devices, skin care and health in general. In addition, the presence of the stoma imputes to this person the need for a support network of family members, friends, caregivers and health professionals. Despite being legally supported, these people experience a new reality that interferes with their quality of life, since there are body changes, self-perception, lifestyle, eating habits, how to dress and weight change. Objective: To investigate the experiences of people with stomas in municipalities in the interior of Paraíba, focusing on overcoming and challenges. Methodology: This is a descriptive study, with a qualitative approach, using a questionnaire for data collection. The study included people with stomas, who were users of the primary care service in the municipalities of Barra de Santa Rosa and Cuité, older than 18 years, who had some type of stoma or who had been stomized for at least six months. A questionnaire was developed for data collection, and this happened through an interview. For the analysis of the data obtained, Bardin’s content analysis was used. The research was approved under CAAE no 71368123.8.0000.0154. Results and discussion: Eight ostomized people participated in the study, four of them from the municipality of Barra de Santa Rosa and the other half from Cuité. Of the participants in this study, six were men and two were women. The mean age was 66.75 years. The types of stomas were: colostomy, gastrostomy, urostomy and cystostomy. Five categories emerged from the interviews: Category I - Received support from friends and family to take care of themselves and stoma; Category II - There is no follow-up with a health professional; Category III - Follow-up is punctual, according to needs; Category IV - Rejection, sadness and low self-esteem; Category V - Overcoming, gratitude for the chance to live. Conclusion: Feelings of sadness, rejection and low self-esteem were identified as challenges to be overcome in this phase, as well as the development of resilience and adaptation after a period of time.