Seeking care behavior of men with sexual dysfunction in Jordan: patients’ perspective

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Sexual health problems are common among different health conditions such as cancer, diabetes mellitus and heart diseases. Little has been published on why and what factors behind hesitance to seek help and hiding the problem.

METHODS: The study explored the extent to which men suffering from sexual dysfunction are willing to discuss their sexual concerns and care needs with nurses. A qualitative exploratory approach was used to explore men’s perspectives on nurses’ role in providing men’s sexual healthcare in Jordan. Data were collected through semi-structural interviews from 16 men with sexual health problems secondary to chronic health conditions.

RESULTS: Four themes were derived from the data; men’s perceptions about sexual healthcare, ability of men to seek help from nurses, barriers to seeking help, and desired sources for help. Men reported that they would not seek help from nurses; they preferred using other sources, including internet, friends and other men with similar experiences.

CONCLUSIONS and discussion: closed social and family structure limited men’s willingness to seek help for their sexual problems in Jordan leaving them untreated, which might then threaten their general health and wellbeing.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Nursing is a profession that deals with human as a whole and the sexual health care was not part of nurses’ daily care for men. Therefore, this study added a view to nurses and health care professionals to consider sexual health care as part of their sexual health care for men. This might be through developing a multidisciplinary service for men.

KEY WORDS: Sexual healthcare, Men’s health, Nurses, Jordan.