OBJECTIVE:To identify and explore sexual health policies at specialized
stroke rehabilitation centres in relation to the perspectives of
healthcare personnel concerning sexual health. DESIGN:Cross-sectional
study. SUBJECTS:Nine specialized rehabilitation centres representing 7
countries, and healthcare personnel (n = 323) working with stroke
rehabilitation at the 9 centres were included in the study.
METHODS:Two
structured questionnaires were used: (i) an organizational-audit on
sexual health policies; (ii) an anonymous web-questionnaire assessing
the perspectives of healthcare personnel concerning sexual health.
RESULTS:Of the 9 centres, 5 scored high on having sexual health policy
in stroke rehabilitation and 4 scored low. Healthcare personnel working
at centres with high scores reported higher levels of knowledge and
comfort in working with sexual health, and more positively on workplace
sexual health policies, than personnel working at centres scoring low on
these factors. Most personnel expressed a need for knowledge on the
topic. Being comfortable about addressing sexuality was significantly
associated with higher levels of knowledge about sexuality and working
at centres having sexual health policies.
CONCLUSION:A lack of sexual
health policy represents a barrier to evidence-based practice in stroke
rehabilitation. Such protocols need to be implemented in standard care
in order to meet the sexual rehabilitation needs of stroke patients and
partners.
No comments:
Post a Comment