This study aimed to explore the experiences of individuals discussing sexual well-being with healthcare professions within the context of their cardiac illness to determine their sexual health information needs.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and known to have a detrimental impact on sexual health. Despite sexual health being recognised as a fundamental component of well-being, it may be a neglected aspect of care within the context of cardiovascular disease.
A qualitative exploratory study conducted in accordance with COREQ guidelines.
We conducted semi-structured interviews with participants (n = 13) aged between 30-77 years who had been diagnosed with a cardiovascular disease. Data were transcribed and subject to thematic analysis.
Analysis revealed two major themes-Sexual healthcare information and expectations: I expect them to tell me and Experiences of sexual adversity: it's really scary. Although participants expected and welcomed information in relation to their illness and sexual health, this was rarely received. Subsequently, when some participants experienced sexual adversity including erectile dysfunction, they felt anxious and distressed which impacted their intimated relationships. It was often when participants sought information associated with adversity that information was provided and this was primarily in relation to medication associated with assisting dysfunction.
Individuals who have cardiovascular disease may require sexual health care. Nurses are well placed to provide information and education associated with cardiovascular disease and associated sexual well-being to promote positive outcomes for individuals and minimise distress around sexual adversity.
Findings highlight the importance of providing clear and accurate information about sexual well-being and function to patients experiencing cardiovascular disease. Provision of information should be considered an essential and routine aspect of care with patients being afforded opportunities to discuss concerns associated with their sexual well-being.
This research output has an Altmetric Attention Score of 6. This is our high-level measure of the quality and quantity of online attention that it has received. This Attention Score, as well as the ranking and number of research outputs shown below, was calculated when the research output was last mentioned on 03 November 2021.
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#8,812,798
of 33,229,667 outputs
Outputs from Journal of Clinical Nursing
#1,820
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Outputs of similar age
#139,161
of 474,540 outputs
Outputs of similar age from Journal of Clinical Nursing
#58
of 167 outputs
Altmetric has tracked 33,229,667 research outputs across all sources so far. This one has received more attention than most of these and is in the 73rd percentile.
So far Altmetric has tracked 6,194 research outputs from this source. They typically receive a little more attention than average, with a mean Attention Score of 7.2. This one has gotten more attention than average, scoring higher than 70% of its peers.
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We're also able to compare this research output to 167 others from the same source and published within six weeks on either side of this one. This one has gotten more attention than average, scoring higher than 64% of its contemporaries.
