Cultural Barriers Influencing Midwives' Sexual Conversation with Menopausal Women
10.6118/jmm.2018.24.3.210
- Author:
Talat KHADIVZADEH
1
;
Masumeh GHAZANFARPOUR
;
Robab LATIFNEJAD ROUDSARI
Author Information
1. Evidence-Based Care Research Center, Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Culture;
Menopause;
Sexual behavior;
Sexuality
- MeSH:
Cross-Sectional Studies;
Education;
Female;
Friends;
Health Personnel;
Humans;
Iran;
Menopause;
Methods;
Midwifery;
Sexual Behavior;
Sexuality;
Shame
- From:Journal of Menopausal Medicine
2018;24(3):210-216
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to determine the barriers influencing the sexual conversation. METHODS: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 200 midwives were selected through convenience sampling method from private and public clinics in Mashhad, North East of Iran. A self-structured questionnaire was used to collect the study data. RESULTS: The mean age of subjects was 39.58 ± 8.12 years with 13.49 ± 7.59 years of work experience. A number of cultural conditions act as an inhibitory force for the midwives to address sexual issues with menopausal women. Menopausal women visit a doctor at the acute stage when emotional and physical problems make sexual discussion difficult for the midwives (86.5%). Other related causes for not having proper sexual conversation were insufficient knowledge (51.4%), inadequate education provided via public media through health providers (83.5%), midwives or their patient's shame (51.5%), and attempt to get help from traditional healers, friends, relatives and supplicants instead of midwifery staff (78.5%). Also, we found that sexual workshops, communication workshops, and work experiences had a significant influence in changing the views of midwives. CONCLUSIONS: Cultural barriers prevent the patients and providers from communicating effectively with each other, thus highlighting the need for sexual and communication workshops for the health care providers.
