Ariella Percat1, Eva Elmerstig2. 1. Faculty of Health and Society, Centre for Sexology and Sexuality Studies, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden; Antenatal Care Clinic, Midwives Malmö, Malmö, Sweden. Electronic address: ariella.percat@gmail.com. 2. Faculty of Health and Society, Centre for Sexology and Sexuality Studies, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Several studies show that nurses don't meet patients' needs in addressing issues around sexuality and sexual health. However, little attention has been paid to midwives' views on sexual counselling. This study explores midwives' views and experiences on sexual counselling during antenatal care. STUDY DESIGN: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine midwives at seven different antenatal care clinics in southern Sweden. The interviews were analysed with qualitative content analysis, and script theory was used as a theoretical perspective. RESULTS: The result showed that the midwives considered sexuality important but hard to address. Lack of time, knowledge, and encouragement from the managerial level and/or lack of counselling tools were given as reasons for not bringing it up. In addition, midwives' insecurity turned out to be even greater with patients that deviated from the heterosexual norm or had another cultural background. CONCLUSION: There are cultural and interpersonal scripts in the workplace in which sexuality is not expected to be addressed. As long as these are in place, only education will not help to change issues in addressing patients' sexuality. Organizational and managerial support along with education and opportunities for reflection and dialogue regarding sexual issues might help midwives to approach sexuality and change the cultural and interpersonal scripts.
OBJECTIVE: Several studies show that nurses don't meet patients' needs in addressing issues around sexuality and sexual health. However, little attention has been paid to midwives' views on sexual counselling. This study explores midwives' views and experiences on sexual counselling during antenatal care. STUDY DESIGN: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine midwives at seven different antenatal care clinics in southern Sweden. The interviews were analysed with qualitative content analysis, and script theory was used as a theoretical perspective. RESULTS: The result showed that the midwives considered sexuality important but hard to address. Lack of time, knowledge, and encouragement from the managerial level and/or lack of counselling tools were given as reasons for not bringing it up. In addition, midwives' insecurity turned out to be even greater with patients that deviated from the heterosexual norm or had another cultural background. CONCLUSION: There are cultural and interpersonal scripts in the workplace in which sexuality is not expected to be addressed. As long as these are in place, only education will not help to change issues in addressing patients' sexuality. Organizational and managerial support along with education and opportunities for reflection and dialogue regarding sexual issues might help midwives to approach sexuality and change the cultural and interpersonal scripts.