Perception of physical health by patients with severe mental illness and their family caregivers: A qualitative study

Purpose: The aim of this study is to determine the perceptions of both individuals with severe mental illness and their family caregivers regarding the physical health status of patients. Design and methods: A descriptive qualitative design was implemented, and 11 individuals with severe mental illness and 12 caregivers were analysed. Findings: Two main themes emerged as a result of the content analysis: a “physical health-related barriers” theme and a “need for better physical health” theme. Practice implications: Patients and their family caregivers experience a number of barriers and difficulties related to maintaining and improving physical health. Psychiatric nurses should recognize these barriers and assist in empowering both patients and their family caregivers to overcome them. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Sexuality in Muslim Women With Gynecological Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Sexuality is a multidimensional subject that can be negatively affected after a diagnosis of gynecological cancer. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to reveal what sexuality difficulties Muslim women with gynecological cancers experience and how they overcome them. INTERVENTIONS/METHODS: A qualitative approach was used. Data were gathered through semistructured interviews and analyzed by using a content analysis method. Eighteen Muslim women with gynecological cancers participated in the study. RESULTS: The study findings were grouped into 3 major categories: situations that make sexual life difficult, impact of cancer on sexual life, and coping. CONCLUSIONS: Women with gynecological cancers experience sexual reluctance, orgasmic incapacity, lack of enjoyment of sexual intercourse, and decreased frequency of sexual intercourse. In individuals with cancer, social support is important to facilitate coping; however, some women do not receive sufficient support. Women who consider sexuality to be a taboo topic and feel shame about asking sexuality-related questions are not likely to seek or receive relevant information from health professionals. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Health professionals should provide information to women diagnosed with gynecological cancers about changes that they are likely to experience in their bodies and possible difficulties in sexuality. These women should be encouraged to talk about their sexual problems, and religious and cultural differences should be reflected in their cancer care

Sexuality in Muslim Women with Gynecological Cancer

Background Sexuality is a multidimensional subject that can be negatively affected after a diagnosis of gynecological cancer. Objective The aim of this study was to reveal what sexuality difficulties Muslim women with gynecological cancers experience and how they overcome them. Interventions/Methods A qualitative approach was used. Data were gathered through semistructured interviews and analyzed by using a content analysis method. Eighteen Muslim women with gynecological cancers participated in the study. Results The study findings were grouped into 3 major categories: Situations that make sexual life difficult, impact of cancer on sexual life, and coping. Conclusions Women with gynecological cancers experience sexual reluctance, orgasmic incapacity, lack of enjoyment of sexual intercourse, and decreased frequency of sexual intercourse. In individuals with cancer, social support is important to facilitate coping; however, some women do not receive sufficient support. Women who consider sexuality to be a taboo topic and feel shame about asking sexuality-related questions are not likely to seek or receive relevant information from health professionals. Implications for Practice Health professionals should provide information to women diagnosed with gynecological cancers about changes that they are likely to experience in their bodies and possible difficulties in sexuality. These women should be encouraged to talk about their sexual problems, and religious and cultural differences should be reflected in their cancer care. © 2020 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved