Quality of Life of Patients After Colorectal Cancer Surgery in Soba University Hospital, Sudan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Colorectal surgery is reported to have significant effects on patients, both physically and psychologically. On other hand, infections are found to be a major risk factor in Sudan and Sub-Saharan Africa such as intestinal Schistosoma colitis, especially those presenting with sigmoid colonic adenocarcinoma.Aim of the study: To assess the quality of life of patients after colorectal cancer surgery and the effect of the stoma on their life.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based study was done at Soba University Hospital. A sample of 72 patients with colorectal cancer who had undergone colorectal surgery was fully covered and interviewed using the SF-36 Quality of life standard questionnaire.Results: The total sample was 72 with a mean age of 51.1 ± 14.6 years. 79% were married, 70% were working, with free business being the most encountered occupation (36.1%). However, only 48.6% were still employed at the time of surgery. Regarding the mental health component, there was a significant difference in social functioning domain mean scores between patients who were employed and unemployed patients. Where the physical functioning and role physical domains were found to differ significantly with the different educational attainment of patients. Patients who did not undergo radiation therapy reported higher mean scores of role limitation due to physical problems, compared to patients who received radiation therapy.Conclusion: Our result found the quality of life was affected negatively in terms of the level of pain and presence of colostomy with sexual activity affection but the other parameters were not strongly affected.