Al-Haddad Muhammad, Alananzeh Ibrahim M, Green Heidi, Alomari Albara, Fernandez Ritin
Al Khalidi Hospital, Amman, Jordan.
School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Health, University of Wollongong in Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
PLoS One. 2022 Aug 31;17(8):e0271264. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271264. eCollection 2022.
In Jordan, cancer is the second leading cause of death after cardiac disease. The impact of cancer on sexual relationships is a taboo subject and hence, such issues are underreported research among Jordanian people examining unmet needs.
To examine the experiences and preferences of Jordanian cancer survivors related to communication regarding their sexual needs.
Qualitative study conducted between May and June 2020 using semi-structured face-to-face interviews using the snow-balling approach for recruitment. Participants were recruited until data saturation was obtained and data were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis.
Analysis of participants' interview data identified three main categories: 1) The psychological impact of cancer of sexual relationships; 2) Physician support; 3) Variations in sexual life and sexual experiences.
The study revealed that there is a substantial psychological impact of cancer on sexual relationships among Arab Jordanian cancer survivors. Feeling powerless, being labelled as 'sexually disabled', and lack of communication with physicians were emphasized by participants as a barrier to discuss sexual needs with their physicians. Lack of physicians support negatively impact Jordanian cancer survivors sexual experience and led to increased their sense of powerlessness and loss of control over sexual relationships.
Overall, the study indicated a crucial need for physicians to encourage patients to disclose their sexual experience to help them maintain their sexual and mental health while in the fight against cancer. The physicians, nurses and allied health professionals should be engaged in the conversation with patients by taking an active role in the discussion. Additionally, the family and partners of the patients should also be approached and engaged by health professionals in the discussion to address their needs or sexual issues.
在约旦，癌症是仅次于心脏病的第二大死因。癌症对性关系的影响是一个禁忌话题，因此，在约旦人群中，此类问题在研究未满足需求时报告不足。
研究约旦癌症幸存者在沟通其性需求方面的经历和偏好。
2020年5月至6月进行定性研究，采用半结构化面对面访谈，通过滚雪球法招募参与者。持续招募参与者直至数据饱和，并使用定性主题分析法对数据进行分析。
对参与者访谈数据的分析确定了三个主要类别：1）癌症对性关系的心理影响；2）医生的支持；3）性生活和性经历的差异。
该研究表明，癌症对约旦阿拉伯癌症幸存者的性关系有重大心理影响。参与者强调，感到无力、被贴上“性残疾”标签以及与医生缺乏沟通是与医生讨论性需求的障碍。医生缺乏支持对约旦癌症幸存者的性体验产生负面影响，并导致他们的无力感增加以及对性关系失去控制感。
总体而言，该研究表明医生迫切需要鼓励患者披露其性经历，以帮助他们在抗癌过程中保持性健康和心理健康。医生、护士和相关健康专业人员应积极参与与患者的对话。此外，健康专业人员也应与患者的家人和伴侣进行沟通并让他们参与讨论，以解决他们的需求或性问题。
