The Sex Knowledge and Attitude Test (SKAT) was administered to 120 nurses caring for oncology patients at the Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, to determine their sexual knowledge level and their sexual attitudes. Results of the study revealed that the clinical center nurses' knowledge scores were significantly lower than a group of nurses tested in 1972 (p <0.01). The clinical center nurses' scores also showed that they were more conservative than their nursing counterparts in attitudes toward heterosexual relations (p = 0.001), masturbation (p <0.001), and abortion (p <0.001). A direct correlation was demonstrated between knowledge scores and attitudinal measures regarding masturbation and sexual myths. This study demonstrates that sexual knowledge as measured by SKAT of nurses in a large cancer center has not improved when compared to nurses tested in 1972. Since the disease and the treatment often cause cancer patients significant sexual problems, the oncology nurse must be equipped to inform and counsel patients regarding sexual matters. This study identifies the need for further sexual education in oncology nursing and identifies the nurses who may benefit most from such education.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Fisher et al. (1983) studied this question.