Colostomy Acceptance among Caregivers of Children with Colostomy in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria

Abstract

Colostomy forms part of the management of many children with congenital and acquired disorders of the large bowel. Although the life- saving benefit of this procedure is well known medically, its impact on parents and caregivers of children with colostomy has not been  fully evaluated in most developing countries. The aim of the study is to assess the acceptance of colostomy among caregivers of children  with colostomy in AKTH Kano. Using a descriptive cross-sectional study in August 2021, this study assessed the acceptance of colostomy  among 59 caregivers of children with colostomy attending Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano (AKTH). During the study period we  recruited all consecutive caregivers who consented to the study. The majority (90%) of the caregivers were females with a mean age of  33.4 ± 9.4 years. Most of the children 55% were females and the mean age of the children was 3.1 ± 3.0 years. The mean duration of  colostomy before take down was 11.01 ± 5.51 months. The commonest type of colostomy care was the use of napkin strips and wrappers  88%. The average monthly cost of care was found to be ₦5000-₦10000 by the majority of the families up to 88%. The social acceptance was  found to be 75%, and the overall psychological feeling after the procedure was good. The findings of this study showed that there is  a positive social impact of care of colostomy among caregivers of children with colostomy in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano.