A study by enzlin and de clippeleir 2011 revealed

A study by (Enzlin and De Clippeleir, 2011) revealed that the number of increasing
cancer survivors provides the rising focus on the healthcare quality of life and addressing the
sexuality issue and barriers regarding the oncology patients. Furthermore, different studies have
shown the infrequent discussion about sexuality between healthcare professionals and patients
(Hautameaki et al., 2007, Kotronoulas et al., 2009, Takahasi et al., 2006). While barriers include
lack of knowledge, and skills were identified while addressing the important and sensitive issue
(Hautameaki et al., 2007, Kotronoulas et al., 2009).
Background

Running Head: NURSES PERCEPTIONS AND BARRIERS IN ADDRESSING THE
SEXUAL HEALTH NEEDS OF ONCOLOGY PATIENTS
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The diagnosis and treatment of cancer affect sexuality in all aspects among both male and
female, including not only sexual functioning or response but also sexual relationship. Studies
have shown that between 40 and 100% of patient suffering from cancer, report different
problems related to sexuality in different phases of disease both in therapeutic and palliative care
(Jonsdottir et al., 2016).
A study conducted at China by (Zeng, Liu & Loke, 2012) revealed various factors
causing overlooking sexuality concerns include myths and predisposition among nurses about
the patient diagnosed with cancer be too ill to be interested in sex or sexual issues. Moreover,
nurses may avoid discussing the sexuality issue with the patients because they believed that
discussing sexuality is not part of their professional responsibility. While some nurses believe
that they are not prepared enough to discuss such sensitive topic with the patients.
A study conducted by (Krouwel et al., 2015) at Netherlands concluded that sexuality
despite being an integral part of the health for individuals, the Dutch nurses may not routinely
addressed the issue regarding sexuality in oncology patients, also facing barriers while
addressing the issue including incorrect assumptions regarding sexual issues, lack of knowledge,
interest and discomfort. However, a study conducted by (Hautameaki et al,. 2007) concluded that
patients are willing to talk about the sensitive issue but lack of time and confidence, difficulty in
bring up the subject and lack of training for oncology nurses are the main reasons that acts as
barriers while addressing the issue.
A quantitative study conducted by (Oskey, Can, & Basgol, 2014) concluded that being an
integral part of the holistic care, sexuality is impossible to discuss with the patients in Turkey,
because of the societal context across the country, despite being an integral part of the healthcare
team, nurses expect to address the issue in meaning full manner as nurses are acting as a
counselor and aim to assist the individuals suffering from oncology problems.
A study in Pakistan, conducted by (Alwani, Jewani, Momin, & Naveed, 2011) identified
various barriers to nurses while discussing the sexuality pattern with the patients including,
workload, knowledge insufficiency regarding sexuality, lack of readiness of patients and
subjective approaches about sexuality. Furthermore, uneasiness for both patient and Healthcare