Attitudes about the Provision of Sexual Health Services in an Inpatient Setting

• Published in: Journal of pediatric & adolescent gynecology 2023-12, Vol.36 (6), p.525-531
• Main Authors: Ybarra, Abby, Wong, Catherine, Gribbons, Megan, DeSilva, Nirupama, Jetelina, Katelyn, Rosenthal, Susan L., Francis, Jenny K.R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: attitudes; communication; confidence; inpatient; sexual and reproductive health
• ISSN: 1083-3188; 1873-4332
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpag.2023.07.003

Examine the relationship between clinicians’ attitudes about the appropriateness of providing sexual health services in the inpatient setting and confidence in providing services. An online survey was emailed to pediatric hospitalists, adolescent medicine, and pediatric and adolescent gynecology societies and directors. Confidence in managing eight sexual health situations was measured on a 4-point Likert scale, summed, averaged, and dichotomized into confident and not-so-confident. Participants were asked to rate on a 5-point Likert scale their belief that providing sexual health services in the inpatient setting would be appropriate. An adjusted, multivariate logistic regression identified associations between participant demographic, professional characteristics and confidence with attitudes about the appropriateness of providing inpatient sexual health services. Among the 610 participants, the mean age was 40 years. Most were females (79%), non-Hispanic white (71%), and practiced pediatric hospital/general medicine (73%). Most (73%) were not-so-confident across all 8 confidence items. Overall, 61% “strongly agreed” providing sexual health services in the inpatient setting was appropriate. Participants who reported younger age, being female, and confident to provide services were significantly associated with strong agreement that it was appropriate to provide sexual health services in the inpatient setting. Those who identified as Christian Non-Catholic were significantly less likely to report strong agreement. Most providers strongly agreed that providing sexual health services in the inpatient setting was appropriate, yet most were not-so-confident in managing sexual health situations. Future studies should focus on addressing concerns and barriers to providing sexual health services.