The Effect of Colostomy and Ileostomy on Acts of Worship in the Islamic Faith.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of colostomy and ileostomy on Muslim patients' acts of worship. This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study. The research setting was a stoma therapy unit of a 500-bed capacity training and research hospital in Ankara, Turkey. The study sample comprised 150 patients with colostomies (40.7%) or ileostomies (59.3%); their mean age was 51.6 ± 12.9 (mean ± standard deviation), more than half (60.7%) were men, and 84.7% were married. Participants were queried about specific religious practices following ostomy surgery including those related to salat, fasting, and pilgrimage. Data were collected using forms specifically designed for this study; respondents were interviewed either face-to-face or via telephone. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the influence of a fecal ostomy on specific religious activities. Participants reported decreasing the frequency of daily and Friday prayers (25.2% and 22.7%, respectively) or stopped practicing these activities all together (12.0% and 14.0%, respectively). Respondents tended to increase the frequency of acts of absolution while reducing acts of fasting. Perceptions of cleanliness, central to performance of salat within the Islamic faith, emerged as a central concern. Ostomy surgery influences multiple religious acts practiced by Muslims. Awareness of the potential impact of a fecal ostomy on religious acts within the Islamic faith, combined with specialized education about spiritual practices delivered by the WOC nurse or a knowledgeable resource person, is strongly recommended for all persons following ostomy surgery.