Attitudes, Belief, and Barriers of Indonesian Oncology Nurses on Providing Assistance to Overcome Sexuality Problem
Abstract: 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.
Keywords: Sexuality; attitude;
barrier; oncology nurses; cancer
Author: Yati Afiyanti
Journal Code: jpkeperawatangg170004
