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Sim-Sim M, Aaberg V, Dias H, Caldeira E, Gradellini C, Mecugni D, Gomez-Cantarino S. Attitudes and Beliefs of Portuguese and American Nursing Students about Patients’ Sexuality. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10040615. [PMID: 35455793 PMCID: PMC9027804 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10040615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Nursing school graduates must be prepared to interact comfortably and effectively with patients about their sexual health. This study analyses the attitudes and beliefs about patient sexuality held by Portuguese and American nursing students. Objective: In Portuguese and American nursing students, (1) we analyzed students’ attitudes and beliefs towards sexuality using the Sexuality Attitudes and Beliefs Survey (SABS); (2) we identified nationality, socio-demographic information, and affective-sexual beliefs and attitudes. Method: Quantitative, cross-sectional study; convenience sample of 296 students (63.2% Portuguese; 36.8% American); mean age: 21.9 years (SD = 3.12); two-way ANOVA and multiple correspondence analyses were performed. Results: Attitudes and beliefs toward sexuality: Portuguese women are more liberal than men, contrary to American students. Among both nationalities, participants with multiple sexual partners held more conservative attitudes. Sexual orientation: bisexual American students and homosexual Portuguese students are conservative. Multiple correspondence analysis revealed two profiles: (1) Portuguese students: liberal-tolerant in attitudes towards patient sexuality, live with family/roommate, 18 to 21 years old, no or one sexual partner; (2) US students: traditionalist attitudes towards patient sexuality, share house, 22 and 23 years old, multiple partners. Conclusion: Human sexuality must be addressed in nursing education curricula.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarida Sim-Sim
- Nursing Department, University of Evora, Comprehensive Health Research, Integrated Researcher (CHRC), Escola Superior de Enfermagem S. João de Deus, 7000-811 Evora, Portugal; (M.S.-S.); (E.C.)
| | - Vicki Aaberg
- School of Health Sciences, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, WA 98119, USA;
| | - Hélia Dias
- Instituto Politecnico de Santarém, Escola Superior de Saúde, 2005-075 Santarém, Portugal;
| | - Ermelinda Caldeira
- Nursing Department, University of Evora, Comprehensive Health Research, Integrated Researcher (CHRC), Escola Superior de Enfermagem S. João de Deus, 7000-811 Evora, Portugal; (M.S.-S.); (E.C.)
| | - Cinzia Gradellini
- EdSex Project, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS of Reggio Emilia, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-39-0522-522514
| | - Daniela Mecugni
- EdSex Project, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS of Reggio Emilia, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy;
| | - Sagrario Gomez-Cantarino
- Faculty of Physiotherapy and Nursing, Toledo Campus, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Avda Carlos III, s/n, 45071 Toledo, Spain;
- Health Sciences Research Unit: Nursing (UICISA: E), The Nursing School of Coimbra (ESEnfC), 3004-011 Coimbra, Portugal
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