The sexual education needs of those disabled by mental illness.

Research into sexual risk behaviour among people with 'severe' mental health problems suggested that they are likely to engage in high-risk sexual behaviour, for a number of reasons, putting them at risk of sexually transmitted diseases. The aim of this review is to describe approaches, content and outcomes of sexual health education programmes, developed and implemented for people with mental health problems. A literature review from 1980 to 2005 was carried out using the electronic databases CINAHL, PsycINFO, British Nursing Index, Pubmed and Medline, and the Cochrane library was also searched. The literature search was confined to papers written in English. The keywords 'sexuality', 'sexual health education', 'sexual health promotion', 'HIV', 'sexually transmitted disease' were combined with 'mental illness', 'chronic mental illness''severe mental illness''persistent mental illness''psychiatry', 'mental disorder', 'education interventions' and 'evaluation'. A vast amount of literature was recovered on sexual risk behaviour in people with severe mental health problems, and sexual dysfunction as a result of prescribed medication. As the focus of the review was on sexual health education, this literature was omitted. Although the literature on sexual health education for people experiencing mental health problems was sparse, 14 studies were located that either described or evaluated sexual health education programmes. Most sex education programmes focused on topics such as HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, negotiating safe sex and skill development in condom use. Findings suggested that the people who attended benefited from sexual health education programmes, facilitated in a sensitive and supportive manner. Education tended to produce a reduction in sexual risk behaviour as opposed to complete cessation. Nevertheless, it is appropriate to consider integrating such education with service provision. The results of the review provide guidance to service providers and mental health nurses wishing to develop and evaluate sexual health education programmes for service users. Areas for future research are also identified.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual health education for people with mental health problems: what can we learn from the literature?

Higgins

Barker

Begley

2006

“…Although participants in the studies acknowledged that talking about sexuality could be embarrassing (Crawford & Shaw 1998, Dilloway & Hildyard 1998), they were of the opinion that it was appropriate for the nurse to raise and discuss issues. When service users are asked about their educational needs a consistent theme is a request for education on drugs and their impact on sexual function (Wasow 1980, Lewis & Scott 1997).…”

Section: Sexuality and Mental Health: Service Users’ And Nurses’ Viewsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1986, Gamel et al . 1995), sensitivities around discussing sexual issues, and their right to make an informed choice about taking medication (Lewis & Scott 1997). An individual may not be ready to respond to any of the above statements immediately.…”

Section: Role Of the Mental Health Nursementioning

confidence: 99%

Neuroleptic medication and sexuality: the forgotten aspect of education and care

Higgins

Barker

Begley

2005

Discussing issues of sexuality is a challenging and difficult issue for many health care workers. When it comes to sexuality and people with mental health problems there seems to be a dual taboo. Mental health nurses are ideal members of the health care team to talk to service users about issues as sensitive as sexuality and the side effects of medication that impact on sexual health. However, in both clinical practice and the nursing literature, the side effects of medications that impact on sexual function are often ignored and unspoken about. This paper examines the impact of both conventional and atypical neuroleptic medication on sexual function and discusses the probable causes of such effects. The possible reasons why health care professionals are reluctant to discuss side effects impacting on sexual health with service users are explored and emphasis is placed on the need for mental health nurses to respond to requests from service users for more education and discussion in the area of sexuality and sexual health.

“…Furthermore, the authors asserted that addressing the subject would perhaps be seen as actively encouraging widespread institutional promiscuity. Despite the inclusion of social skills training in rehabilitation programmes, sexual education was rarely a component (Civic et al . 1993, Katz et al .…”

Section: Sexual Behaviourmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The viability of such a resource and the potential benefits to people with schizophrenia would be worthy of further exploration. One study actually asked people with schizophrenia living in the community what they perceived their sexual education needs were (Lewis & Scott 1997). Client's descriptions of needs varied greatly from those inferred by the investigators.…”

Section: Sex Educationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring sexual and relationship possibilities for people with psychosis – a review of the literature

McCann

2003

This review examines the literature on sex and relationship issues in the context of serious and persistent mental health problems. It identifies gaps in the research and highlights key issues needing further investigation. The available published documents have been identified, which contain information, ideas, data and evidence on the topic. A critical analysis of the subject, through the examination of the various documents, is provided. The main themes that emerged included HIV/AIDS, medication and sexual dysfunction, sexuality needs, intimate relationships, family planning, policies and sex education. Several subthemes are discussed and include needs assessment, stigma and loneliness. The key findings highlight the lack of systematic studies in the UK, especially regarding the subjective views of patients in determining need and the subsequent development of appropriate plans of care. The author argues that future mental health research needs to go beyond investigating perceived 'risky' behaviours and should include potential therapeutic responses in all areas of sexuality. Further recommendations are made in terms of nurse education particularly the inclusion of psychosexual aspects in future pre- and postregistration curricula. This paper may be of interest to service users, mental health practitioners working alongside people with serious and persistent mental health problems as well as educators, researchers and policy makers.