Sexuality assessment: Nurses’ attitudes and beliefs toward sexuality

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the nurses’ assessment of the sexual health of the patients and their attitudes and beliefs about sexual health.

Materials and methods: The study had a descriptive, cross-sectional design. The sample of this research was composed of nurses working in three central public hospitals in Antalya, Turkey. In the study, 492 nurses were reached and the study completed with 187 nurses who agreed to participate in the study. Study data were collected via "Personal Information Form" and "Sexual Attitude and Belief Scale" (SABS). In analysis of the data; frequency, percentage distributions, t test, oneway ANOVA analyses were used.

Results: The mean age of the nurses participating in this study was 35.2±7.3. In our study, mean SABS score of the nurses was found as 44.7±8.9. The mean score of the SABS items ranged from 2.9±1.6 to 4.7±1.3. In the study, it was found that the expressions with the highest average SABS score are "I make time to discuss sexual concerns with my patients." and "Patients expect nurses to ask about their sexual concerns." expressions (X=4.72±1.33 andX=4.32±1.58). Accordingly, the biggest barriers that the nurses participating in the study about assessing the sexual health are having no time to discuss the sexual problems of patients and thinking that patients do not expect the nurse to ask questions about their sexual problems.

Conclusion: The results of our study showed that nurses are lacking in both knowledge and practice regarding sexual health assessment. It may be suggested to increase the number of sexual health education and seminars.