Vaginal Dryness Problems Among Southeastern Women Aged 40–65 Years in Turkey

The aim of this study was to investigate vaginal dryness (VD) problems among 40–65 year old married women in Southeastern Turkey and its effect on their sexuality and health. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 281 women aged 40–65 via face-to-face interview. The results of the study showed that participating women feel that they lose their sexual functions as a result of VD problems. Reported sexually related problems were as follows: decreased sexual desire was identified in 14 % of women, sexual coercion by her partner in 20.6 %, trouble receiving sexual pleasure in 54.4 %. The incidence of VD was found to be 47 %. About 8.9 % of the women stated that their partners complain about the dryness all the time, 73.6 % of the women did not take any action to improve dryness in order to facilitate sexual intercourse. Statistically significant relationships were found between a woman’s having VD and violence from her partner, sexual coercion by her partner, and decrease in sexual desire and sexual pleasure (p < 0.05). It is recommended that women who are in menopause or during transition stages be routinely assessed for VD and sexuality by nurses or physicians in a professional atmosphere in order to help relieve discomfort.     

A Study on Sexuality with the Parents of Adolescents with Intellectual Disability

The objective of this study was to determine the knowledge, opinions, attitudes and concerns of the parents regarding sexuality of their children with intellectual disabilities. Forty parents who have children with intellectual disabilities formed this study’s sample from Turkey. The children had mild to moderate intellectual disabilities aged between 15 and 21 years in an occupational school. The data taken from questionnaires was evaluated with SPSS 13.0 package program. 87.5% of the parents consisted of mothers and 12.5% consisted of fathers. Seventy five percent of the parents had not received any professional education on sexuality and 32.5% never talked on sexuality with their children. Fifty-five percent of the parents thought that sexual education should start during elementary school years. While 45% of the parents acknowledged their children engaging in masturbation, more than half had false opinions on masturbation. 57.5% of the parents stated that they inform their children on the physical characteristics of the adolescence period and 27.5% of them provide information to their children on subjects like the reproductive organs. In addition, a large majority of the parents (72.5%) had concerns regarding the future of their children. The parents of the adolescents with intellectual disabilities had not received any professional education on sexual development. It is very crucial that parents with children who have special needs be informed by health care professionals.     

Sexuality and Nursing Process: A Literature Review

The purpose of this paper is to explore the literature on addressing sexuality and sexual health in nursing practice and using nursing care process for the assessment of sexual problems of individuals. Sexuality is a part of life and being human. Sexual function may be affected negatively owing to disease, treatment or surgery and changes may occur in the sexual function of any individual. In order to maintain the sexual function of individuals and improve the quality of life, health professionals must identify and solve sexual problems. Nurses can use nursing process in determining and addressing the sexual problems of individuals. The literature review was conducted utilizing several databases, selected because of their relevance to the subject under review and including CINAHL, Medline (PubMed) and Nursing Journals (PubMed). Results highlight the benefit of nursing care process in addressing the sexuality and sexual problems of people with various diseases. Nurses are aware that assessing sexuality, diagnosing sexuality problems, and evaluating outcomes of interventions to address patients’ sexuality concerns are part of holistic care. However, they often do not perform sexuality assessment in practice. The conclusion is nurses working in accordance with nursing procedures play a key role in achieving success and providing integrated care help individuals to express their sexual problems.     

Effect of teaching unit about sexuality and sexual health on nursing students knowledge at Zagazig University

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of teaching unit about sexuality-and sexual health on Zagazig University nursing students' knowledge. The sample included all student nurses (0=200) in the obstetric and Gynaecology nursing course during the 1st semester of the 3rd academic year (1999). Two tools were used for data collection; the first tool was a questionnaire to assess the student's knowledge about sexuality and sexual health e.g. Anatomy and physiology of female and male reproductive systems, the tool was given to the students twice; before and after conducting the teaching unit. The results concluded that the majority of the students lacked knowledge in all study parameters before the teaching unit. The students' knowledge showed a significant improvement after the teaching unit. It can be recommended that sex education and sexual health should be included in the university nursing curriculum.     

Gender differences in masturbation and the relation of masturbation experience in preadolescence and/or early adolescence to sexual behavior and sexual adjustment in young adulthood

A comparison of male and female masturbation practices was undertaken in a sample of university students to determine if the long-standing finding that young adult men in this country masturbate more than young adult women was still evident in the 1980s. Despite the efforts in the past quarter century to encourage women in our society to take greater responsibility for their own bodies and their own sexuality and to engage in more sexual self-exploration and self-stimulation, results show that women continue to masturbate much less than men. Twice as many men as women had ever masturbated and the men who masturbated did so three times more frequently during early adolescence and young adulthood than the women who masturbated during these same age periods. A second purpose of this study was to determine whether having masturbation experience during preadolescence and/or early adolescence was related to intercourse experience, sexual satisfaction, sexual arousal, or sexual difficulties in relationships during young adulthood. No such linkage was observed, suggesting that early masturbation experience is neither beneficial nor harmful to sexual adjustment in young adulthood.     

Adolescence: myths and misconceptions

Adolescence is the period of physical and psychological growth between childhood and adulthood. The author is a practicing obstetrician and gynecologist in New Delhi. Over the course of her medical career, she has identified many myths and misconceptions about adolescents and adolescence. With regard to male adolescents, masturbation-related myths may be the most frequently harbored. Male adolescents have a hormone-driven need to have sexual intercourse, frequently. Masturbation is a healthy, no-cost way to relieve sexual tension. There is neither need to pay a prostitute nor fear of contracting a sexually transmitted disease. A young man can masturbate virtually whenever he wants. Despite the guilt and misinformation implanted by adults that masturbation causes weakness, boys masturbate rather frequently. Also contrary to popular myth, the nocturnal emissions which may result in growing boys as a result of sexual excitement during a dream are completely normal and no reason for concern. Further, boys should not worry about penis size, for, when erect, they all work just fine. People grow at different rates. Menstruation starts when 17% of a woman's body weight is fat. The onset of menstruation may therefore start earlier in well-fed girls compared to in girls who are more lean. The frequency and duration of menses are not constant. Menstrual irregularity therefore does not necessarily mean that a young woman is pregnant or that professional medical treatment is required. Breasts, like penises, serve their intended function irrespective of size. The hymen is a membrane at the opening of the vagina. It may have a hole in the center or the side for the escape of menstrual blood. There are myths that an intact hymen is indicative of virginity, the hymen should be intact until marriage, and the first sexual experience should be painful for a woman. The hymen is elastic and even some prostitutes have been found to have intact hymens. The hymen also may tear due to a fall, cycling, or horse riding. Furthermore, myths exist that kissing can cause pregnancy or AIDS, homosexuality is abnormal and incompatible with heterosexual relationships later in life, and different positions of coitus may adversely affect physical health. Adolescents sorely need sources of sound scientific factual information to dispel their myths.     

Nursing Students’ Experiences on Assessing the Sexuality of Patients: Mixed Method Study

This study aims to examine nursing students’ experiences on assessing the sexuality of patients. This research is a mixed method study consisting of two stages as qualitative and quantitative. The first stage was carried out with 104 students using a socio-demographical data form and the sexual attitude and belief scale (SABS) to collect data. In this stage, most students stated that they could collected data about patients’ sexuality in clinical practice; however, they could not make a nursing diagnosis and give care regarding sexuality. It was determined that this was due to the age, gender and education level of the patient/nurse. A significant difference was found between SABS total scores of students who collected data about sexual health and those who did not (p?<?0.05). The second stage was carried out with 72 students. Focus group interviews were performed to examine the students’ experiences on assessing the sexuality of their patients. Two main themes were specified: barriers and recommendations. Most nursing students perceived many characteristics, particularly socio-demographical characteristics, as barriers for talking about sexual matters. Nursing care in this field is postponed since they do not talk about sexual problems. Nursing students’ problems in assessing the patients’ sexuality must be realized in the first year of education. Trainings that aim at eliminating the lack of knowledge are recommended.

     

A case analysis in human sexuality: Counseling to a man with severe cerebral palsy

This article is a case analysis of a 25-year-old man, named Michael, who has cerebral palsy, generalized athetosis. His physical disability is severe and he has a profound speech disorder. Michael is functioning cognitively within the range of borderline intelligence. Michael requested human sexuality counseling. At the onset of counseling Michael stated that due to his physical disability he was neither able to masturbate nor could he find a sexual partner. Four key areas in sexuality and disability are discussed: (1) recognition of the individual with a severe disability as a sexual being, (2) masturbation as a valid sexual activity, (3) seeking an appropriate romantic involvement, and (4) the process involved in making a referral to a sex surrogate. The entire course of treatment is outlined along with the impressions of the counselor.     

Sexuality at the end of life

There is very little research literature that addresses sexuality at the end of life. Although end-of-life care has become a priority for nursing education, the issue of end-of-life sexuality is not included in the curriculum. Nurses are frequently in a position to establish relationships with couples that encourage a frank discussion and information sharing. As patient advocates, nurses can address end-of-life sexuality issues by taking a sexual history and implementing a general intervention model, such as the PLISSIT. Couples need to be reassured that if they have enjoyed a close sexual relationship, sexual intimacy may continue to be part of their relationship, even at the end of life.     

Nurses and Midwives Role in Patient Sexual Health Assessment: A Cross-Sectional Study

A cross-sectional exploratory study was conducted to assess nurses and midwives’ attitudes and beliefs towards addressing patients' sexual health. A convenient sample of 305 nurses and midwives (professionals and students) were recruited from University Hospitals in Lebanon. The Sexuality Attitude and Belief Survey (SABS) was used and data about barriers to sexual assessment, sexual education and sociodemographic characteristics were collected. The sample included nursing students, 30.1%, staff nurses, 61.2%, and midwives, 8.6%. The mean age was 26.8 years, and 83.7% were females. Only 28.4% of the total sample received sexual health education, and 12.5% reported taking patients' sexual history. The total SABS score was 48.4, which is relatively high. Most nurses and midwives (72.2%) stated that they do not spend time discussing patients' sexual concerns, viewing sexuality as 'too private an issue to discuss' (68.9%). In parallel, a minority had the belief that patients expect nurses to ask about their sexual concerns (32.7%) and felt confident in their abilities to address patients' sexual issues (30.3%). SABS score was significantly associated with the participants' gender, status, care unit, sexual health education and history taking. This study provided a preliminary appraisal of Lebanese nurses' and midwives' approaches towards patients' sexual health assessment and highlighted the obstacles that hinder appropriate sexual health practice. Based on the findings, there is a need for initiatives at the level of education and practice to develop nurses and midwives' competence and improve patient outcomes.

     

Double Standard for Traditional Value of Virginity and Premarital Sexuality in Turkey: A University Students Case

This study investigates the prevalence of myths regarding virginity and the hymen and their associations with sexuality prior to marriage. This study was conducted with 534 single, heterosexual male and female students from various faculties of Dicle University in Turkey. The findings demonstrated that the rates of masturbation (11.1%) and premarital sexual intercourse (4.3%) were much lower in women than in men (87.7% and 44.2% respectively) who were traditionally expected to maintain their virginity until marriage. A higher degree of commitment to religious faith was associated with a lower rate of masturbation and sexual contact experience. Also, the myth that the hymen symbolized virginity was slightly more prevalent among male students (74.2% vs. 72.1%). Female virginity was significantly more important among male students (76.7%) than females (11.1%), and male students more frequently (30.1% vs. 11.1%) stated that “the blood-stained bed sheet” should be displayed to the family on the day of marriage. Although some myths about virginity were frequently reported by females, less significance was attributed to virginity by females than by males. In conclusion, the traditional social structure that incites sexual double standards still prevails over the sexual attitudes and behaviors of university students in Turkey.     

Double standard for traditional value of virginity and premarital sexuality in Turkey: a university students case

This study investigates the prevalence of myths regarding virginity and the hymen and their associations with sexuality prior to marriage. This study was conducted with 534 single, heterosexual male and female students from various faculties of Dicle University in Turkey. The findings demonstrated that the rates of masturbation (11.1%) and premarital sexual intercourse (4.3%) were much lower in women than in men (87.7% and 44.2% respectively) who were traditionally expected to maintain their virginity until marriage. A higher degree of commitment to religious faith was associated with a lower rate of masturbation and sexual contact experience. Also, the myth that the hymen symbolized virginity was slightly more prevalent among male students (74.2% vs. 72.1%). Female virginity was significantly more important among male students (76.7%) than females (11.1%), and male students more frequently (30.1% vs. 11.1%) stated that "the blood-stained bed sheet" should be displayed to the family on the day of marriage. Although some myths about virginity were frequently reported by females, less significance was attributed to virginity by females than by males. In conclusion, the traditional social structure that incites sexual double standards still prevails over the sexual attitudes and behaviors of university students in Turkey.     

A study of knowledge and attitudes of selected nursing students toward human sexuality

The study evaluated the knowledge and attitudes of sophomore nursing students toward human sexuality, and compared their scores with national normative values for nursing students and undergraduate, nonmedical females. Further, the effect that a five‐credit hour, human sexuality course had on the students was investigated. The Sex Knowledge and Attitude Test, developed by Lief and Reed, was utilized. The students’ pre‐ and posttest scores were analyzed, including sample size, group means, and standard deviations. There were significant differences of knowledge scores on (1) the pre‐ and posttest scores of the sophomore nursing students, and (2) the post‐test scores of the second‐year nursing students and the national undergraduate, nonmedical females. The national nursing students’ scores and the sophomore nursing students’ posttest scores did not indicate significant differences.

The attitudinal section of the questionnaire was divided into four sections—autoeroticism, abortion, acceptance of sexual myths, and heterosexual relations. Autoeroticism showed the greatest change. It was concluded that this investigation should be followed by additional research to test the effects of human sexuality courses on attitudinal and knowledge change.     

Sexuality and the Chronically Ill Older Adult: A Social Justice Issue

Sexuality can give an embellished meaning to life. Attitudes toward sexuality have generated devaluing reactions from society regarding older adults. These actions have relegated sexuality to be invisible. As the proportion of the older population, relative to the younger generation increases, and as chronic health problems become more prevalent nurses will encounter more elderly people with sexual concerns. Nurses, educated in the field of gerontology and sexuality, are in a favorable position to assess the older adult and to provide health teaching and sexual counselling regarding the sexual concerns of the older adult. Nursing research and policy development are complementary avenues whereby sexuality can be made more visible for the older adult who is experiencing chronic illness. These nursing strategies will facilitate the recognition of the elderly and their rights. These rights need to be respected and exercised to promote social justice in order to enhance their quality of life.