title: Recommendations for spinal rehabilitation professionals regarding sexual education needs and preferences of people with spinal cord dysfunction: a mixed-methods study.
abstract: METHODS
  Mixed-methods study using comprehensive survey and semi-structured interviews.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Compare the experiences of sexual education during rehabilitation for people with non-traumatic spinal cord dysfunction (SCDys) and traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), determine preferences for the delivery of this information and provide recommendations for spinal rehabilitation professionals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Community, Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adults completed survey (traumatic SCI n=115; SCDys=39) or were interviewed (SCDys: n=21). Survey included questions regarding sexual education during rehabilitation, participant satisfaction with this and preferred modes for receiving such information. These themes were also explored during interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No difference between SCI and SCDys regarding satisfaction or preferred modes of presentation (all P>0.05). People with SCDys were less likely to report receiving sexuality education during rehabilitation (SCDys n=11, 30%; SCI n=61, 53%; P=0.03). Interviews suggested that this may be gendered, as only two women recalled receiving sexual education, whereas men often received this as part of continence management. Overall, only 18% were satisfied or very satisfied with sexual education and information received, and 36% were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied. Preferred modes for receiving sexuality information included sexuality counsellor (n=97), recommended internet sites (n=77), peer support workers (n=76), staff discussion (n=67), written information (n=67) and DVD (n=58). These preferences were confirmed during interviews, although women expressed a strong preference for written information sheets.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was very low satisfaction with sexuality education during rehabilitation. Our findings highlight the scope and directions for improving the sexual education and information given to people with both SCDys and SCI during rehabilitation.
authors.affiliation: Spinal Rehabilitation Service, Department of Rehabilitation, Caulfield Hospital, Alfred Health, Caulfield, Victoria, Australia.|Epworth-Monash Rehabilitation Medicine Unit, Southern Clinical School, Monash University, Richmond, Victoria, Australia.|Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Prahran, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: New
authors.affiliation: School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.|Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne Australia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Seddon
authors.affiliation: Spinal Rehabilitation Service, Department of Rehabilitation, Caulfield Hospital, Alfred Health, Caulfield, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Redpath
authors.affiliation: Spinal Rehabilitation Service, Department of Rehabilitation, Caulfield Hospital, Alfred Health, Caulfield, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Currie
authors.affiliation: School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Warren
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012736:Sex Education / Q000379:methods*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013997:Time Factors