Advances in Nursing & Midwifery

Abstract

Abstract
Introduction: Ostomy is a surgical procedure performed to divert feces and urine
output in cases of anorectal anomalies. Although this procedure is a crucial intervention
with excellent treatment effect, it is associated with complications, such peristomal skin
lesions. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of providing ostomy care education to
mothers of infants with peristomal skin complications.
Methods: Forty mothers of neonates with intestinal stomies were informed about the
aim of this study and invited to participate. The sampling was conducted in accordance
with the quota sampling method. The participants were randomly and equally
allocated to the control and experimental groups. The mothers in the experimental
group attended a three-session educational program, whereas the mothers in the
control group received information about routine care methods used by the study
settings. The peristomal skin conditions of the infants in both groups were examined
before discharge and 30 days after discharge using the Telegram Software or in person,
according to an established checklist. Data were analyzed with the SPSS 21 software to
obtain descriptive and analytical statistics.
Results: Prior to discharge, the majority of the neonates in both groups had healthy
peristomal skin. In the control group, five neonates had acute dermatitis and one had
chronic dermatitis. In the experimental group, four neonates had acute dermatitis and
two had chronic dermatitis. The χ-square test showed that the two groups were not
significantly different (p-value = 0.94). After discharge, most of the neonates in the
experimental group had intact peristomal skin and only four neonates had chronic
dermatitis. In contrast, in the control group, only six neonates had intact peristomal
skin. The results of Fisher’s exact test indicated that the two groups of study were
significantly different (p-value = 0.013). In the experimental group, 16 and 14 neonates
had intact peristomal skin before and after discharge, respectively. In the control group,
14 and 6 neonates had intact peristomal skin before and after discharge, respectively.
The results of McNemar’s test revealed no significant differences in the experimental
group before and after discharge (p-value = 0.69), whereas the control group showed
significant difference in this context (p-value = 0.021).
Conclusions: Providing mothers with education on proper ostomy care significantly
decreased the occurrence of peristomal skin lesions in neonates with intestinal ostomies.