Effectiveness of Peer-Led Education on Patients’ knowledge and Practice Regarding Colostomy Care Related to Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

Background: Patients who have undergone a colostomy face a variety of challenges, includingboth physical and psychological aspects, which have a significant impact on their overall quality of life.Peer learning is increasingly being used as a patient education strategy. Aim: This study aimed to assessthe effectiveness of peer-led education on patients’ knowledge and practice regarding colostomy carerelated to colorectal cancer. Methods: A quasi-experimental (one-group pretest-posttest design) wasconducted. Subjects: The study involved two distinct groups of participants: initially, five patients withcolostomies who satisfied the eligibility criteria and consented to partake in the research as peer educators.Subsequently, a purposefully selected sample of 30 patients was recruited for this study. Setting: Theresearch was carried out in the surgical department and outpatient surgery clinic of the Oncology Centerof Mansoura University. Tools: Three tools were utilized in data collection: a structured interviewingquestionnaire, patients’ knowledge questionnaire regarding colostomy care, and a colostomy careobservation checklist. Results: A significant difference in knowledge and practice related to colostomycare was observed before and after the implementation of peer-led education. After education, a strongpositive correlation was found between overall knowledge and practice results one month later.Additionally, participants with higher levels of knowledge demonstrated better practice outcomes,indicating the effectiveness of peer-led education in improving both knowledge and practice of colostomycare. Conclusion: The results of the present research demonstrate that peer education has proven successfulin improving patients' understanding and implementation of colostomy care. Recommendations:Integration of peer learning into the structured education program for patients with colostomies should beconsidered an essential part of standard hospital care before patient discharge