Social and family dynamic with patients with definitive intestinal ostomy.

Rational: The person who undergoes a definitive intestinal ostomy experience significant changes in social and family dynamics. Most of the time the patients are fragile by risk due to the new situation.

Aim: To analyze the social dynamics of people with permanent intestinal stoma.

Method: Qualitative research on the basis of information collected at the time of the monthly withdrawal of collecting handbags and accessories provided by the unified Health System. Were part of the study 12 users of São Miguel do Oeste, SC, Brazil who agreed to participate in the research.

Results: Eight women and four men were included. Eleven were elderly and all were retired. Users lived with few people. The largest family interviewed had four people, the other only with the spouse or lived alone. All users indicated that they had someone to help them after the ostomy. Four users have reported that they needed aid routinely and eight were blaming himself alone by the exchange of necessary hygiene and care. Seven said that they had some kind of difficulty or negative feeling because of using the collection bag. Fear and embarrassment were the most mentioned feelings. On the other hand, five users have stated that did not have difficulties or negative feelings due to the ostomy, and that these feelings had been overcome.

Conclusions: Coexistence with the ostomy is highlighted as causing fears, constraints, discomfort and doubts. The family and social support can promote a new identity to the person, enabling the return of lost self-esteem and social reintegration.