A Descriptive Study on Development of an ALARM Sexual Counseling Program for Patients with Ostomy

장루보유자를 위한 ALARM 성상담 프로그램 개발을 위한 조사연구

Purpose: This study attempted to identify the sexual function (ALARM: Activity, Libido, Arousal and orgasm, Resolution, Medical history) of patients who have had an ostomy for the development of an ALARM sexual counseling program. Method: Subjects for this descriptive study were recruited from the outpatient clinic of a university affiliated medical center and peer group. Fifty-two subjects who have had an ostomy and lived with their spouse were selected. Instruments were developed by researchers based on the ALARM model by Anderson (1990). Results: In the subject group, 32.7% patients were not sexually active and 76.9% hesitated to have sexual activity because of the stoma. The mean score of resolution was 13.2 (range: 8-32), with a higher score for couple's intimacy indicating a higher level of libido and resolution. Conclusion: This study presents a series of clinical guidelines that nurses can use to accurately assess sexual health issues and select appropriate sexual counseling for patients with an ostomy.