Title: Training providers to talk about sex.

POPLINE Document Number: 168844

Author(s):

Smith EJ

Source citation:

Network, 2002;21(4):7.

Abstract:

In 1999, Population Council's Frontiers in Reproductive Health project conducted research in Egypt, which showed that sexuality counseling, could be successfully integrated into services at family planning clinics. Nurses and physicians from four Egyptian Ministry of Health and population clinics and two private clinics attended a 2-day contraception training session emphasizing barrier methods. Staff at three of these clinics received 3 additional days of training on sexuality, gender, and counseling. To evaluate the effects of the extra training, the study conducted exit interviews with 503 clients at both the control sites and the intervention sites where additional training had been given. Five focus group discussions were also conducted with clients. Results showed that medical practitioners who went through sexuality training were less inhibited about discussing sexuality-related issues with their clients. Despite the extra training, many clinicians reported that they still felt embarrassed to discuss sexual issues with clients and continued to think clients with sexual problems should be referred to specialists. Thus, it is recommended that providers be trained to manage simple sexual problems and to counsel women about how various contraceptive methods can affect sexual relations.

Keywords:

Egypt
Summary Report
Interviews
Control Groups
Focus Groups
Training Programs
Health Personnel
Communication Programs
Sexuality
Contraception
Counseling
Africa, Northern
Africa
Developing Countries
Data Collection
Research Methodology
Education
Delivery of Health Care
Health
Communication
Personality
Psychological Factors
Behavior
Family Planning
Clinic Activities
Program Activities
Programs
Organization and Administration