TABLE 2.

Clinical Characteristics of Regional Victorian Ostomy Association Members

Patient factor (n)	Number	Percent
Stoma duration (weeks), median (Q1–Q3) [n = 281]	72	24–168
Bowel cancer (n = 279)
No	132	47
Yes	147	53
Type of stoma (n = 285)
Colostomy	189	66
Ileostomy	62	22
Urinary diversion	22	8
Dual stoma	12	4
Temporary stoma (n = 281)
No	253	90
Yes	28	10
Obesity post stoma (n = 263)
No	167	63
Yes	96	37
Sexually active pre stoma (n = 274)
Not sexually active	95	35
Sexually active	179	65
Sexually active post stoma (n = 269)
Not sexually active	198	74
Sexually active	71	26
Depressed post stoma (n = 280)
No	167	60
Yes	113	40
Considered suicide post stoma (n = 280)
No	256	91
Yes	24	9
Stoma support group member (n = 280)
No	238	85
Yes	42	15
Other support group member (n = 283)
No	269	95
Yes	14	5
Talked with other ostomates (n = 282)
No	187	66
Yes	95	34
Stoma location issue (n = 281)
No	182	65
Yes	99	35
Dietary change post stoma (n = 284)
No	150	53
Yes	134	47
Dietary change to avoid gas (n = 281)
No	200	71
Yes	81	29
Avoid carbonated drinks (n = 280)
No	199	71
Yes	81	29
Avoid dairy (n = 282)
No	257	91
Yes	25	9
Avoid fruits (n = 281)
No	242	86
Yes	39	14
Avoid snacks (n = 281)
No	241	86
Yes	40	14
Avoid vegetables (n = 282)
No	258	91
Yes	24	9
No clothing changed post stoma (n = 280)
Change	158	56
No change	122	44
Time to acceptance of daily stoma care (n = 279)
Months	196	70
Years	44	16
Never	39	14
Time for daily stoma care (n = 258)
1–10 minutes	130	50
11–25 minutes	62	24
26+ minutes	66	26

Note. n = number of respondents with data available; Q1 = lower quartile (25th percentile); Q3 = upper quartile (75th percentile).