The Comfort Levels of Nurses During Clinical Experiences Which Include Sexual Topics

Abstract

To determine the comfort levels of nurses and factors affecting their comfort levels during clinical experiences which include sexual topics. The sample of this descriptive study consisted of 141 nurses who work at the medical or surgical units. Nurses are uncomfortable with taking care of patients who engaged in sexuality related activities (78.1%), informing male patients on sexual life who experiences erectile dysfunction during intercourse (66.6%), examining the genital organs of male patients (63.1%), asking male patients about their sexual life (61%), and answering the questions of male patients about sexuality (57.5%). Nurses who find it appropriate to talk to patients about sexuality during routine nursing care (P = 0.003) and who can answer patients' questions about sexual problems (P = 0.000) feel more comfortable during clinical experiences which include sexual topics. Nurses should be prepared in either pre or post-registration programs to incorporate sexuality as a dimension of patient care.