[Bowel habits: non-congruent views of patients and nursing staff].
The bowel movement pattern in hospitalised patients is an important aspect of nursing and therapeutic considerations. The aim of the study was to gather and compare the views patients and nursing personnel on the subject of bowel movement habits.


METHODS
The investigation was carried out by means of a questionnaire that should enable gathering data on demographic factors and bowel movement patterns (regularity, frequency, colour, form, problems, influence of external factors). Data obtained from the questionnaires completed by 122 nursing personnel and 168 patients were subject to statistical analysis. Data were analysed with the help of SPSS, and individually according to sample groups, using the Chi square test.


RESULTS
Comparison (nursing personnel and patients) of the results showed significant differences between the two groups in their assessment of what was "normal" and what was "pathological" in bowel movement patterns. The two groups differed significantly in what they considered as normal bowel movement frequency namely, "several times daily", "every second day" and "twice a week". It is interesting to note that the nursing staff more often considered "irregular" bowel movements as "normal" in comparison to patients. Significant differences between the two groups were also observed in their assessment off "watery stools" and "formed stools". As far as the question of stool colour is concerned, patients more frequently than the nursing staff, looked upon "pathological" colour changes (yellow and reddish-brown to black) as being normal.
Them
Christa
C
Abteilung Pflegewissenschaft an der Privaten Universität für Gesundheitswissenschaften, Medizinische Informatik und Technik, Hall i. Tirol. christa.them@umit.at
Fritz
Elfriede
E
Roner
Annette
A
Hackl
Johann Michael
JM
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001317:Austria; D003672:Defecation; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008432:Mathematical Computing; D008875:Middle Aged; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012016:Reference Values; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires