Perceived Knowledge, Practices, Attitudes and Beliefs of Jordanian Nurses Toward Sexual Health Assessment of Patients with Coronary Artery Diseases

Abstract

Sexual health assessment is an important aspect for patients with coronary artery diseases. Nurses are at key position to address patients’ sexual health concerns but they rarely do. The aim of this study was to evaluate Jordanian nurses’ knowledge, practice, attitude and beliefs toward sexual health assessment of patients with coronary artery diseases in practice. Descriptive correlational design was used; the sample consisted of 84 nurses in cardiac clinics at two major educational hospitals. Data collection included demographic data and nurses’ knowledge and practice of sexual health assessment. Nurses’ attitude was measured using Sexuality Attitude and Belief Survey (SABS). Eighty four nurses (34 male and 50 female) with a mean age of 31.5 years. About 70% of nurses acknowledged the importance of sexual health assessment but they never addressed patients’ sexual concerns. The SABS scores among study participants were high with mean scores of (44.36 ± 8.93) that indicate they perceived more barriers to sexual health assessment. These barriers include lacking knowledge, confidence, comfort in sexual health assessment, and pass the responsibility to someone else. Nurses show interest to enroll in sexual health education and training. The results of this study indicate that nurses have negative attitudes toward sexual health assessment and rarely assessed patients’ sexual health concern. Ongoing education and training and understanding nurses’ perspectives are essential to empower them to take patients’ sexual health assessment in routine practice.