Determinants of doctors’ decisions to inquire about sexual dysfunction in Malaysian primary care settings
نویسندگان
چکیده
BACKGROUND Perceptions of how receptive men are to sexual health inquiry may affect Malaysian primary care doctors' decisions to initiate such a discussion with their male patients. This paper quantifies the impact of doctors' perceptions of men's receptivity on male sexual health inquiry. Sexual health inquiry is one of the five areas in a study on determinants of offering preventive health checks to Malaysian men. METHODS This was a cross sectional survey among primary care doctors in Malaysia. The questionnaire was based on an empirical model defining the determinants of primary care doctors' intention to offer health checks. The questionnaire measured: (I) perceived receptivity of male patients to sexual health inquiry; (II) doctors' attitudes towards the importance of sexual health inquiries; (III) perceived competence and, (IV) perceived external barriers. The outcome variable was doctors' intention in asking about sexual dysfunction in three different contexts (minor complaints visits, follow-up visits and health checks visits). All items were measured on the Likert scale of 1 to 5 (strongly disagree/unlikely to strongly agree/likely) and internally validated. RESULTS 198 doctors participated (response rate 70.4%). Female primary care doctors constituted 54.5%. 78% of respondents were unlikely to ask about sexual dysfunction in visits for minor complaints to their male patients, 43.6% in follow up visits and 28.2% in health checks visits. In ordinal regression analysis, positive perception of men's receptivity to sexual health inquiry significantly predicted the doctors' intention in asking sexual dysfunction in all three contexts; i.e., minor complaints visits (P=0.013), follow-up visits (P<0.0001) and health checks visits (P=0.002). Perceived competence in sexual health inquiry predicted their intention in the follow-up visits (P=0.006) and health checks visits (P<0.001). Lower cost to health checks only predicted their intention in the follow-up visits (P=0.010). CONCLUSIONS Whilst sexual health inquiry should be initiated in an appropriate context, 'perceived receptivity' to sexual health inquiry significantly affected doctors' intention in initiating sexual health inquiry to their male patients. Malaysian men's health may be substantially improved by strategies that assist doctors to identify patient 'receptivity'.
منابع مشابه
Malaysian primary care doctors' views on men's health: an unresolved jigsaw puzzle
BACKGROUND Men have been noted to utilise health care services less readily then women. Primary care settings provide an opportunity to engage men in health care activities because of close proximity to the target group (men in the community). Understanding attitudes towards men's health among Malaysian primary care doctors is important for the effective delivery of health services to men. We a...
متن کاملUNDERSTANDING OF THE IRANIAN WOMEN OF THE ORIGIN OF THEIR SEXUAL DYSFUNCTIONS: QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
Background & Aims: Detecting influential factors of sexual dysfunction could be essential in preventive and intervention strategies. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the women’s understanding of the origin of their sexual problems. Materials & Methods: Fifteen married women with sexual dysfunction aged 21-42 were interviewed in person as they were referred to Tehran University o...
متن کاملبررسی شیوع اختلالات عملکرد جنسی در زنان مراجعهکننده به بیمارستان فاطمیه همدان
Introduction: Gender and sexual satisfaction are important aspects of female health and well- being. Reviews from the primary medical care suggest that less than 50% of physicians ask questions about sexual behavior and sexual disorder from their patients. A true understanding of normal responses related to sexual relationship, evaluation and treatment of sexual dysfunctions requires providing ...
متن کاملMarital Satisfaction in Menopausal Women with and without Sexual Dysfunction
Background & aim: The incidence of sexual dysfunction increases during the menopause period. Some menopause women are worried about the reduction of their marital satisfaction due to sexual dysfunction. Regarding this, the present study aimed to compare the marital satisfaction among the menopause women with and without sexual dysfunction. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 80...
متن کاملP-68: Intercourse Recommendations According to Classic and Traditional Medicine
Background: Health is a very essential issue in our world. From the classic and traditional medicine point of view, our surroundings and habitat including geographic location, climatic conditions , eating and drinking habits , training and emotions, contribute to a healthy life style. With an overview in traditional medicine, it is clear that there is another important aspect in preventive medi...
متن کاملذخیره در منابع من
با ذخیره ی این منبع در منابع من، دسترسی به آن را برای استفاده های بعدی آسان تر کنید
عنوان ژورنال:
دوره 2 شماره
صفحات -
تاریخ انتشار 2013