Egyptian Obstetricians/Gynecologists’ Perception Related
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- Category: Vol. 77, December 2009
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Egyptian Obstetricians/Gynecologists’ Perception Related to Counseling and Consultation on Sexuality,HIND A.S. KHATTAB, INASSE I. GABALLAH and NADINE K. SHORBAGI
Abstract
Background: Sexual health complaints are not properly addressed and consulted.
Objectives: To explore knowledge about sexuality that Egyptian Ob/Gyn specialists have acquired and to know their attitudes regarding sexual consultation in clinic settings.
Methodology: A representative sample of 600 of Egyptian Ob/Gyn specialists were interviewed through a semi-structured questionnaire in three geographical regions in Egypt; including rural, urban, and squatter areas. The interview questionnaire with Ob/Gyn specialists was to collect data on their demographic characteristics, their training experience, especially in sexuality, their perception regarding sexual consultation, the type of interaction and consultation they provide, their means of improving their knowledge and skills in the field of sexuality.
Results: Only 45% and 47% of the sample studied sexuality during their undergraduate and specialization years, respec-tively. Moreover, 18.2% gained knowledge and experience through self-training. 60.4% of physicians stated that non-pregnant women in reproductive years of age were the more likely group asking for sexual consultation, followed by pregnant clients. The commonest sexual complaints frequently encountered by our sample were dysparunia, loss of sexual desire, and frigidity. Furthermore, 27.2% never discuss those matters with their clients; 69.3% of physicians allocated less time to sexual consultation, 30.4% never refer their clients with sexual complaints to other specialists, 84% of female doctors versus 68.2% of male doctors initiate counseling without being asked (p<0.001) and 72.1% of female doctors versus 59.7% of male doctors give that type of counseling in a direct way (p=0.011).
Conclusions: Little is taught on the subject of sexuality. Training on consultation for sexual problems is sometimes gained just on professional practice. Yet, most of Ob/Gyn specialists don't seek to improve their knowledge and skills in relation to sexuality or sexual consultation.
Recommendations: Conventional family planning pro-grams should be reframed as reproductive health programs. The study has revealed the critical need of improving both quality and access to sexual and reproductive health services;
teaching the concept of sexuality and sexual problems and be properly addressed to both undergraduate and postgraduate medical students; and ongoing training of Ob/Gyn doctors to develop their knowledge in the area of sexual and reproductive counseling.