DOI: https://doi.org/10.14710/nmjn.v7i1.15124

Attitudes, Belief, and Barriers of Indonesian Oncology Nurses on Providing Assistance to Overcome Sexuality Problem

*Yati Afiyanti  -  Department of Maternity and Women’s Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia
Open Access Copyright (c) 2017 Nurse Media Journal of Nursing

Citation Format:
Abstract

Background: Sexuality and problems related to sexuality have been identified as components of nursing care by the nursing profession, nurse educators, other disciplines and patients.

Purpose: This study aimed to describe the attitudes and beliefs of the Indonesian oncology nurses towards providing sexual care for the patients with cancer.

Methods: The study used a descriptive design. Using convenient sampling method, 135 oncology nurses from three hospitals in Jakarta, Indonesia participated in this study.

Results: Over 85% of the nurses believed that discussing sexuality with patients is a taboo and private issue. More than 90% of nurses understood that giving a patient permission to talk about sexual concerns is a nursing responsibility. About 73.3% nurses had beliefs that most hospitalized patients are too sick to be interested in sexuality and agreed that sexuality should be discussed if only the patient initiates it. However, more than 70% of the nurses believed that the patients expect nurses to ask about their sexual concerns.

Conclusion: This study revealed that inappropriate attitude and belief of nurses on sexuality aspect of their patients might become a barrier in facilitating the needs of cancer patients to manage the sexuality problem caused by cancer and the treatment. Nurses need to overcome those various barriers so that they can increase the quality of life of the cancer patients.

Fulltext View|Download
Keywords: Sexuality; attitude; barrier; oncology nurses; cancer

Article Metrics:

Article Info
Section: Articles
Language : EN
Recent articles
Modified Pro-Self Pain Control to Increase Activity in Patients with Colorectal Cancer Sensitivity and Specificity of the Comfort Scale to Assess Pain in Ventilated Critically Ill Adult Patients in Intensive Care Unit Surgical Site Infection among Women Post Cesarean Section: An Integrative Review Editorial Back Matter Editorial Front Matter More recent articles
Most cited articles
The Lived Experience of PLWHA and Partner’s Responses toward the Fulfillment of Sexual Needs Knowledge and skills of Emergency Care During Disaster For Community Health Volunteers: A Literature Review Decision Making towards Maternal Health Services in Central Java, Indonesia BSE Practice and BSE Self-Efficacy among Nursing Students in Aceh, Indonesia Development of a Community-Based Spiritual Life Review Program for Promoting Resilience of Elders Residing in Disaster-Prone Areas More cited articles
  1. Afiyanti, Y., & Milanti, A. (2013). Physical sexual and intimate relationship concerns among Indonesian cervical cancer survivors: A phenomenological study. Nursing and Health Sciences, 15(2), 151–156. doi: 10.1111/nhs.12006
  2. Algier, L., & Kav, S. (2008). Nurses’ approach to sexuality-related issues in patients receiving cancer treatments. Turkish Journal of Cancer, 56(3), 135–141
  3. Bauer, M., Haesler, E., Fetherstonhaugh, D., (2015). Let's talk about sex: older people's views on the recognition of sexuality and sexual health in the health-care setting. Health Expect. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/hex.12418
  4. Butler, L., Banfield, V. (2001). Oncology Nurses’ views on the provision of sexual health in cancer care. Journal Sex Reprod Med, 1(1), 35–39
  5. Cleary, V., & Hegarty, J. (2011). Understanding sexuality in women with gynaecological cancer. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 15, 38–45.doi: 10.1016/j.ejon.2010.05.008
  6. De Groot, .et. al. (2005). The psychosocial impact of cervical cancer among affected women and their partners. International Journal of Gynecological Cancer, 15(5), 918–925
  7. Gamel, C., Hengeveld, M., & Davis, B. (2000). Informational needs about the effects of gynaecological cancer on sexuality: a review of the literature. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 9(5), 678–688. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2702.2000.00416.x
  8. Gamel, C., Hengeveld, M.W., Davis, B., & Tweel, V. A. N. D. E. R. (1995). Factors that influence the provision of sexual health care by Dutch cancer nurses. International Journal Nursing Study, 32(3), 301–314
  9. Haesler, E., Bauer, M., & Fetherstonhaugh, D. (2016). Sexual health and older people: A systematic review of research on the knowledge and attitudes of health professional. Nurse Education Today, 57-71
  10. Hautamaki, K., Miettinen, M., Kellokumpu-Lehtinen, P., Aalto, P., & Lehto, J. (2007). Opening communication with cancer patients about sexuality-related issues. Cancer Nursing, 30(5), 399–404
  11. Hawkins, Y., Ussher, J., Gilbert, E., Perz, J., BPsych, M.S., & Sundquist, K. (2009). Changes in sexuality and intimacy after the diagnosis and treatment of cancer: The experience of partners in a sexual relationship with a person with cancer. Cancer Nursing, 32(4), 271–280
  12. Hughes, M.K. (2009). Sexuality and cancer: The Final Frontier for Nurses. Oncology Nursing Forum, 36(5), 241–246.doi: 10.1188/09.ONF.E241-E246
  13. Jun, E. Y., Kim, S.K., Chang, S.B., Oh, K., Kang, H.S., & Kang, S.S. (2011). The effect of a sexual life reframing program on marital intimacy, body image, and sexual function among breast cancer survivors. Cancer Nursing, 34(2), 142–149. doi: 10.1097/NCC.0b013e3181f1ab7a
  14. Kotronoulas, G., Papadopoulou, C., & Patiraki, E. (2009). Nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding provision of sexual health care in patients with cancer: critical review of the evidence. Supportive Care Cancer, 17(5), 479–501.doi: 10.1007/s00520-008-0563-5
  15. Magnan, M. A., Reynolds, K. E., & Galvin, E. A. (2005). Barriers to Addressing Patient Sexuality in Nursing Practice. Medsurg Nursing, 14(5), 282–290
  16. Rasmusson, E. M., & Thome, B. (2008). Women’s wishes and need for knowledge concerning sexuality and relationships in connection with gynecological cancer disease. Sexuality and Disability, 26, 207–218. doi: 10.1007/s11195-008-9097-5
  17. Rice, A. M. (2000). Sexuality in cancer and palliative care 2: Exploring the issues. International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 6(9), 448-453
  18. Saunama, N., Andersson, M., & Engstro, M. (2010). Discussing sexuality with patients : nurses ’ attitudes and beliefs. Journal of advanced nursing, 66(6), 1308–1316. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2010.05260.x
  19. Saunamaki, N. & Engstrom, M. (2014). Registered nurses' reflections on discussing sexuality with patients: responsibilities, doubts, and fears. J. Clin. Nurs. 23, 531–540
  20. Sheppard, L. A., & Ely, S. (2008). Breast cancer and sexuality. The Breast Journal, 14(2), 176–181
  21. Stead, M.L; Fallowfield, L; Selby, P; Brown, J. M. (2007). Psychosexual function and impact of gynaecological cancer. Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 21(2), 309–320. doi: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.200611.008
  22. Tsai, Y.-F. (2004). Nurses’ facilitators and barriers for taking a sexual history in Taiwan. Applied Nursing Research, 17(4), 257–264. doi: 10.1016/j.aprn.2004.09.011
  23. Wilmoth, M. C. (2006). Life after cancer: What does sexuality have to do with it? Oncology Nursing Forum, 33(5), 905–910. doi: 10.1188/06.ONF.905-910
  24. Zeng, Ying-Chun, Li, Q., Wang, N., Ching, S. S. Y., & Loke, A. Y. (2011). Chinese Nurses’ Attitudes and Beliefs Toward Sexuality Care in Cancer Patients. Cancer Nursing, 34(2), 0–6. doi: 10.1097/NCC.0b013e3181f04b02

Last update:

  1. Attitude and Behaviors of Senior Nursing Students in Assessment of Sexual Health

    Ayten Senturk Erenel, Sevil Cicek Ozdemir. Sexuality and Disability, 38 (3), 2020. doi: 10.1007/s11195-020-09642-3

  2. Sexual myths and attitudes regarding sexuality of nursing students: A mixed method study

    Ayse Akalin, Birgul Ozkan. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 57 (3), 2021. doi: 10.1111/ppc.12717

  3. Nursing practice in sexual dimension of patients: Literature review

    Suzanna, Intansari Nurjannah, Sri Hartini. Enfermería Clínica, 30 , 2020. doi: 10.1016/j.enfcli.2020.01.009

  4. Quality of work life and working conditions among oncology nurses: A national online descriptive cross-sectional study

    Ayşe Arıkan Dönmez, Özlem Ovayolu, Nimet Ovayolu, Sakine Yılmaz, Özgül Karayurt, Gülsüm Nihal Çürük, Canan Pörücü, Hafize Güllü, Zeynep Yılmaz. Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health, 78 (3), 2023. doi: 10.1080/19338244.2022.2063240

  5. Ethiopian women’s sexual experiences and coping strategies for sexual problems after gynaecological cancer treatment: a qualitative study

    Gashaw Yada Hundie, Endalew G Sendo, Teshome Habte. BMJ Open, 12 (3), 2022. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-057723

  6. Sexual health care in cancer patients: A survey of healthcare providers' knowledge, attitudes and barriers

    Dhuha Youssef Wazqar. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 29 (21-22), 2020. doi: 10.1111/jocn.15459

  7. Attitudes and beliefs of nursing students toward sexual healthcare: A descriptive study

    Hatice Güdül Öz, Hatice Balcı Yangın, Gülşen Ak Sözer. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 58 (1), 2022. doi: 10.1111/ppc.12780

  8. Nursing students’ attitudes and beliefs regarding sexual healthcare in Ethiopia: An online cross-sectional study

    Kalid Seid, Tesfaye Kebede, Nigatu Dessalegn, Yetemegnehuat Ejara, Fikre Moga, Matusala Daniel, Nuredin Mohammed, Seid Hassen, Rano Mal Piryani. PLOS ONE, 17 (12), 2022. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278760

  9. Sexual health care provision in cancer nursing care: A systematic review on the state of evidence and deriving international competencies chart for cancer nurses

    Constantina Papadopoulou, Caroline Sime, Kevin Rooney, Grigorios Kotronoulas. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 100 , 2019. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2019.103405

Last update: 2023-12-04 06:16:26

  1. Attitude and Behaviors of Senior Nursing Students in Assessment of Sexual Health

    Ayten Senturk Erenel, Sevil Cicek Ozdemir. Sexuality and Disability, 38 (3), 2020. doi: 10.1007/s11195-020-09642-3

  2. Sexual myths and attitudes regarding sexuality of nursing students: A mixed method study

    Ayse Akalin, Birgul Ozkan. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 57 (3), 2021. doi: 10.1111/ppc.12717

  3. Nursing practice in sexual dimension of patients: Literature review

    Suzanna, Intansari Nurjannah, Sri Hartini. Enfermería Clínica, 30 , 2020. doi: 10.1016/j.enfcli.2020.01.009

  4. Sexual health care in cancer patients: A survey of healthcare providers' knowledge, attitudes and barriers

    Dhuha Youssef Wazqar. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 29 (21-22), 2020. doi: 10.1111/jocn.15459

  5. Sexual counseling to patients with myocardial infarction: Nurses' performance, responsibility and confidence

    Gazestani T.. Nursing Practice Today, 6 (4), 2019. doi: 10.18502/npt.v6i4.1943

  6. Sexual health care provision in cancer nursing care: A systematic review on the state of evidence and deriving international competencies chart for cancer nurses

    Constantina Papadopoulou, Caroline Sime, Kevin Rooney, Grigorios Kotronoulas. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 100 , 2019. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2019.103405