Conhecimento e práticas dos enfermeiros sobre disfunções sexuais femininas

Abstract

Female sexual dysfunctions are persistent alterations in desire, arousal, orgasm, or the presence of pain during sexual intercourse, causing physical and emotional distress to women. Despite their high prevalence, the topic remains under-discussed in health services and is surrounded by taboos. This study aimed to investigate nurses’ knowledge and practices regarding the identification and management of female sexual dysfunctions in Primary Care. It is an exploratory study with a qualitative approach, conducted with 13 nurses working in the Family Health Strategy (FHS) in the municipality of Remanso, Bahia. Data collection was carried out through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Bardin’s Content Analysis technique. The project was conducted in accordance with the ethical principles established by Resolution No. 466/2012 of the National Health Council (CNS). All ethical guidelines were followed, with the study registered on the Brazil Platform, submitted to the Research Ethics Committee (REC) of the State University of Piauí (UESPI), and only executed after receiving the approval of the Consubstantiated Opinion. The results showed that most nurses have limited knowledge of the topic, associating it mainly with hormonal factors and demonstrating insecurity when addressing sexuality with patients. The most common practices included providing guidance during preventive exams and referring patients to a gynecologist, revealing a restricted and minimally resolutive approach. Among the main challenges identified were social taboos, lack of training, and discomfort in addressing the topic, especially among male professionals. It is concluded that nurses present significant gaps in both knowledge and practices related to female sexual dysfunctions, adopting a predominantly biological and insufficiently holistic approach. These findings highlight the need for continuing education strategies that enhance professional practice and promote more sensitive, welcoming, and comprehensive care aligned with the complexity of female sexual health in Primary Care.