Nurses' and auxiliary nurses' beliefs and attitudes regarding the sexual health of patients with severe mental illness: A qualitative study

IntroductionSexual health is essential to the overall health. People suffering from severe mental illness (SMI) experience a deterioration in their sexual health. These patients and their caregivers seem unwilling to engage in a dialogue concerning sexual health within the context of mental health care.AimThe study investigated nurses' and care assistants' beliefs and attitudes regarding the sexual health of people with SMI on the psychiatric care pathway.MethodsTwenty semi-structured interviews were conducted with nurses and care assistants. Data were subject to a thematic analysis.ResultsThree main themes emerged: (1) The formalization of the care approach towards people with a SMI in hospitals; (2) the place given to sexual health in psychiatry units; (3) nurses and care assistants are not equipped to deal with patients' sexual health.DiscussionCaregivers consider that sexual health is a fundamental right and an indicator of good health. They nevertheless believe that the psychiatric hospital remains a place of acute care where sexual health is not considered.Implication for PracticeThis research justifies that it is necessary to question the representations of nurses and care assistants before implementing a tailored intervention that integrates the consideration of sexual health into the holistic care of the patient on the psychiatric care pathway.