title: Religiosity and sexuality: counseling provided by Brazilian Protestant pastors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This qualitative study aimed to explore counseling about sexuality and contraception provided to the church community.
  
  
  METHODS
  The oral history method was performed. Data were collected through in-depth face-to-face interviews with 18 Brazilian Protestant pastors and were examined using thematic analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four themes were identified from the data: (a) Counseling based on Christian doctrine provided to preserve the integrity of the family; (b) Adequate performance of gender roles is essential to preserve harmony in the family; (c) Recommendations for sex with pleasure and the free use of contraceptives in marriage; (d) Distinct positions regarding abortion: clearly forbidden versus permissible when authorized by law.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The pastors provide traditional counselings regarding sexuality and the use of contraceptives is stimulated within the marriage. The main aim of the counselings given to the church community is the preservation of family integrity. The exploration of patients religious backgrounds and its consideration is essential in the planning and implementation of a culturally meaningful and non-conflicting healthcare.
authors.affiliation: University of São Paulo, School of Nursing, 419 Avenida Dr. Enéas Carvalho de Aguiar Ave., Cerqueira Cesar, 05403-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil. kikatuca@usp.br
authors.forename: Luiza Akiko Komura
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Hoga
authors.forename: Juliana Reale Caçapava
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Rodolpho
authors.forename: Priscilla Evelyn
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: de Souza Penteado
authors.forename: Ana Luiza Vilela
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Borges
authors.forename: Rocío Elizabeth
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Chávez Alvarez
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000941:ethics / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D003267:Contraception / Q000941:ethics / Q000523:psychology*; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010327:Pastoral Care / Q000379:methods*; D033303:Protestantism / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000941:ethics / Q000523:psychology*