Table 2.

Distribution of participant responses per item in the Stoma–QOL Questionnaire

Item	Always n (%)	Sometimes n (%)	Rarely n (%)	Not at all n (%)
1. I become anxious when the pouch is full	21 (41.2)	20 (39.2)	3 (5.9)	7 (13.7)
2. I worry that the pouch will loosen	22 (43.1)	13 (25.5)	6 (11.8)	10 (19.6)
3. I feel the need to know where the nearest toilet is	25 (49.0)	13 (25.5)	6 (11.5)	7 (13.7)
4. I worry that the pouch may smell	22 (43.1)	13 (25.5)	6 (11.8)	10 (19.6)
5. I worry about noises from the stoma	14 (27.5)	20 (39.2)	8 (15.7)	9 (17.6)
6. I need to rest during the day	10 (19.6)	17 (33.3)	14 (27.5)	10 (19.6)
7. My stoma pouch limits the choice of clothes that I wear	23 (45.1)	11 (21.6)	6 (11.8)	11 (21.6)
8. I feel tired during the day	7 (13.7)	18 (35.3)	9 (17.6)	17 (33.3)
9. My stoma makes me feel sexually unattractive	20 (39.2)	8 (15.7)	8 (15.7)	15 (29.4)
10. I sleep badly during the night	28 (54.9)	12 (23.5)	3 (5.9)	8 (15.7)
11. I feel embarrassed about my body because of my stoma	20 (39.2)	13 (25.5)	11 (21.6)	7 (13.7)
12. I worry that the pouch rustles	13 (25.5)	18 (35.3)	9 (17.6)	11 (21.6)
13. It would be difficult for me to stay away from home overnight	29 (56.9)	11 (21.6)	2 (3.9)	9 (17.6)
14. It is difficult to hide the fact that I wear a pouch	11 (21.6)	20 (39.2)	10 (19.6)	10 (19.6)
15. I worry that my condition is a burden to people close to me	25 (49.0)	10 (19.2)	3 (5.9)	13 (25.5)
16. I avoid close physical contact with my friends	21 (41.2)	11 (21.6)	7 (13.7)	12 (23.5)
17. My stoma makes it difficult for me to be with other people	17 (33.3)	18 (35.3)	8 (15.7)	8 (15.7)
18. I am afraid of meeting new people	20 (39.2)	12 (23.5)	6 (11.8)	13 (25.5)
19. I feel lonely even when I am with other people	10 (19.6)	21 (41.2)	5 (9.8)	15 (29.4)
20. I worry that my family feels awkward around me	7 (13.7)	12 (23.5)	8 (15.7)	24 (47.1)