The effect of colostomy and ileostomy on acts of worship in the Islamic faith

Abstract

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of colostomy and ileostomy on Muslim patients' acts of worship. DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: 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. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSIONS: 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.