Increasing Student Knowledge, Attitudes, and Self-Efficacy in Sexuality Education

Abstract

The education of patients about all aspects of health is a fundamental part of nursing practice, yet nurses often neglect sexuality education. Evidence shows that when health care professionals do not address issues of sexual health, patients are unlikely to ask questions and are often left without this critical information. This program was developed to better educate undergraduate nursing students so they are prepared to address sexuality concerns of the patients and families they will work with as nurses. Four decades ago the World Health Organization recommended a structure for health professional education that includes knowledge, self-assessment of attitudes and values about sexuality, and development of skills in presenting and discussing sexual function and health. The proposed change is to implement a sexuality course for undergraduate nursing students guided by these recommendations. In this new, elective course, students were exposed to content about sexual function and sexual health; explored their attitudes, values, and biases; and practiced role-play of taking a patient’s sexual history and providing individualized sexuality education. This evaluation measured the impact of this class on student knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy of sexuality education and care through a pretest–posttest design using the Knowledge of Sexual Healthcare, Attitude to Sexual Healthcare, and Self-Efficacy for Sexual Healthcare tools. All senior nursing students were invited to participate, and about half of the participants were enrolled in the course. Findings among the students enrolled in the course demonstrated increases in both knowledge and attitudes. The most dramatic increase was in student self-efficacy (M scores = 60.27 pretest, 97.67 posttest; t = 4.46, p = .0001). This course focused on attitudes, values, and practical skills, in addition to knowledge, as suggested by the World Health Organization. Participation in the course clearly enhanced student confidence, competence, and comfort level in addressing sexual health care needs of patients. These findings highlight a critical need for more comprehensive sexuality education that goes beyond content about birth control and sexually transmitted infections and gives students practical tools for patient education and care.