Sociodemographics and the impact of a colostomy to indigent families and children with colorectal disorders in Honduras

Abstract

Introduction: To describe the social impact of a colostomy on indigent families and affected children with anorectal malformations (ARM) or Hirschsprung's disease (HD) in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, we specifically targeted very low-income households that attended an international medical brigade for ARM and HD in 2016.

Methods: The impact of a colostomy on the families and children's daily life was analyzed by personal interviews with a questionnaire.

Results: Twenty families with children were included in the study. Children's age ranged from 5 months to 27years (median 2.31). Annual income was reported to be less than $500 USD in 42.8%. Impairment of daily family life by the colostomy was reported in 85%. Parents of preschool children younger than 7 years are more affected than parents of older children, whereas children older than 7 years reported on more social problems. Moreover, 50% of the school-aged children did not attend school owing to issues directly related to their colostomy.

Discussion: Colostomies for children in the low middle-income country Honduras have significant social and economic implications for low-income families. In ARM and HD, medical brigades can offer help for definitive surgical repair to overcome and shorten the period of a colostomy presence to improve physical and psychosocial impairment, especially when performed before the children reach the school age.

Type of study: Cost Effectiveness Study.

Level of evidence: II.

Keywords: Anorectal malformation; Children; Colostomy; Developing country; Medical brigade; Public health; Social impact.