In the century that we live in, sexual health started to have an important place in nursing (Magnan & Norris 2008). However, sexual problems of patients are generally ignored by health care staff. As a result, the quality of life of patients is affected negatively because of their cumulative questions and problems about sexual topics (Tsai 2004, Algier & Kav 2008). Although there are studies about assessment of sexuality of patients and the use of counselling by nurses (Magnan et al. 2005, Reynolds & Magnan 2005, Magnan & Reynolds 2006) there is not enough information on this topic in nursing students. Therefore, the study by Kong et al. (2009) will make an important contribution to the literature. In the study by Kong et al. (2009), it is emphasised that nurses have an important role in the care of patients who have sexual health problems that include unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. In addition, it was stated that women in their 50s and men in their 60s could have sexual health problems because of their age or because of gynaecologic problems, myocardial infarction and diabetes. However, when the study is investigated completely it is found that only the role of the nurse on protection and development of sexual health was emphasised. The role of the nurse in solving of sexual health problem of patient was not mentioned. At the same time, an additional aim of the study was the evaluation of information levels of nursing students in dealing with individuals who have sexual problems. However, when questions regarding determination of information levels of students are investigated it is seen that all of the questions are about family planning methods with prevention of adolescent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Therefore, the questions devoted to the development of sexual health rather than the individual with sexual problems. Also, the sexual problems that arise because of acute and chronic illnesses or their treatments like surgery, chemotherapy etc. affect the life quality of the patients negatively (Magnan & Norris 2008). In the study of Kong et al.(2009) it is thought that covering only topics of protection and development of sexual health in the context of individuals who have sexual problems would affect nursing students negatively in the evaluation of patients as a whole in the process of giving care. According to Kong et al. (2009) it is seen that, although information about sexual health problems of the ‘postexperience’ nursing students are more than the other groups, their negative attitude towards taking an active role and responsibility on this topic in the application is also higher. It was declared that this situation could be a result of the negative attitudes of their colleagues on the determination of the sexual health problems of the patients and it is suggested that future studies determine the attitudes of health staff on this topic. On the other hand, when the literature is investigated it is seen that the most important barriers of the clinical nurses on this topic are that no time is allowed for the patients to discuss their sexual problems and the belief that patients do not expect nurses to discuss their sexuality concerns (Magnan et al. 2005, Magnan & Reynolds 2006). In the study by Magnan and Norris (2008), investigating the beliefs and attitudes of nursing students regarding giving sexual counselling to patients, it is stated that the barriers of the nursing students on the topic are similar to the nurses. In addition, in similar studies done with clinical nurses it was stated that there is a lack of role models in practice to discuss special topics like sexuality with the patients and nurses need more education on this topic (Hautamaki et al. 2007, Algier & Kav 2008). It is noted that this literature, which is considered important and related to the topic, is not included in the study. Consequently, the study of Kong et al. (2009) makes suggestions about information, attitudes and preparedness of nursing students. Especially the nursing students’ own suggestions about their preparation for nursing roles regarding sexual. However, it is seen that sexual health is considered in the context of development of sexual health mostly and disregards the individual who has deteriorated sexual health for various reasons in the study.
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Ayhan et al. (2010) studied this question.
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