title: Changes in attitudes, practices and barriers among oncology health care professionals regarding sexual health care: Outcomes from a 2-year educational intervention at a University Hospital.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the attitudes, practices and perceived barriers in relation to a sexual health care educational intervention among oncology health care professionals at the Landspítali-National University Hospital of Iceland.
  
  
  METHODS
  The design was quasi experimental, pre - post test time series. A comprehensive educational intervention project, including two workshops, was implemented over a two year time period. A questionnaire was mailed electronically to all nurses and physicians within oncology at baseline (T1, N = 206), after 10 months (T2, N = 216) and 16 months (T3, N = 210).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was 66% at T1, 45% at T2 and 38% at T3. At all time points, the majority of participants (90%) regarded communication about sexuality part of their responsibilities. Mean scores on having enough knowledge and training, and in six of eight practice issues increased significantly over time. Overall, 10-16% reported discussing sexuality-related issues with more than 50% of patients and the frequency was significantly higher among workshop attendants (31%) than non-attendants (11%). Overall, the most common barriers for discussing sexuality were "lack of training" (38%) and "difficult issue to discuss" (27%), but the former barrier decreased significantly by 22% over time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The intervention was successful in improving perception of having enough knowledge and training in providing sexual health care. Still, the issue remains sensitive and difficult to address for the majority of oncology health care professionals. Specific training in sexual health care, including workshops, should be available to health care professionals within oncology.
authors.affiliation: Landspítali - The National University Hospital of Iceland, Hringbraut, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland. Electronic address: jonaijon@landspitali.is.
authors.forename: Jona Ingibjorg
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Jonsdottir
authors.affiliation: Landspítali - The National University Hospital of Iceland, Hringbraut, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland; University of Iceland, Saemundargata 2, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.
authors.forename: Sigridur
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zoëga
authors.affiliation: Landspítali - The National University Hospital of Iceland, Hringbraut, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.
authors.forename: Thorunn
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Saevarsdottir
authors.affiliation: Landspítali - The National University Hospital of Iceland, Hringbraut, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.
authors.forename: Asgerdur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sverrisdottir
authors.affiliation: Landspítali - The National University Hospital of Iceland, Hringbraut, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.
authors.forename: Thora
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Thorsdottir
authors.affiliation: Landspítali - The National University Hospital of Iceland, Hringbraut, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.
authors.forename: Gudmundur Vikar
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Einarsson
authors.affiliation: Landspítali - The National University Hospital of Iceland, Hringbraut, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland; University of Iceland, Saemundargata 2, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.
authors.forename: Sigridur
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gunnarsdottir
authors.affiliation: Landspítali - The National University Hospital of Iceland, Hringbraut, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland; University of Iceland, Saemundargata 2, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.
authors.forename: Nanna
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fridriksdottir
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007055:Iceland; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology; D008875:Middle Aged; D060728:Reproductive Health / Q000193:education*; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Attitudes; Barriers; Communication; Oncology; Practices; Sexual health care; Sexuality