Akobundu Uzoamaka Nwakaego, Onwudinjo Oluchukwu, Obiekwe Sochima Johnmark, Akosile Christopher Olusanjo, Nwankwo Maduabuchukwu Joseph, Daniel Jovita Ada
Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
Department of Public Health, Lomo University of Research, Kinshasa, Congo DR.
Top Stroke Rehabil. 2025 Apr;32(3):248-259. doi: 10.1080/10749357.2024.2392438. Epub 2024 Sep 8.
Sexual issues post-stroke are common and can include difficulties related to arousal, orgasm, and decreased sexual desire, and satisfaction.
To determine the attitudes, practices, and barriers experienced by physiotherapists in addressing sexual issues among stroke survivors.
This cross-sectional survey involved 72 practicing physiotherapists purposively recruited from selected tertiary hospitals in southeast Nigeria. Modified Physiotherapists' Attitudes on sexual issues, Physiotherapists' Performance Questionnaire in dealing with sexual issues, and Barriers to Discussing Sexual Issues Questionnaires were used to collect data that were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS).
The results showed a significant association ( < 0.05) between the attitude and practice of physiotherapists in dealing with sexual issues of stroke survivors. Although most of the physiotherapists expressed confidence in their understanding of the need to address sexual issues of stroke survivors, only a quarter of them often or always assessed the patients' sexual function as well as included therapy for erectile dysfunction in their plan of care for stroke survivors. Patients' discomfort (88.9%) and insufficient knowledge and training (70.8%) were the most reported barriers. The majority (95.8%) indicated the need for a training program on the sexual issues, despite their area of specialization.
Although the studied physiotherapists understand the need to address these issues, the practical application remains limited due to varying barriers. There is a need for structured training programs focused on sexual health to bridge the gap between knowledge and practice, thereby enhancing the overall care and quality of life for stroke survivors.
中风后的性问题很常见，可能包括与性唤起、性高潮、性欲减退及性满意度相关的困难。
确定物理治疗师在处理中风幸存者性问题时的态度、做法及遇到的障碍。
这项横断面调查涉及从尼日利亚东南部选定的三级医院中有意招募的72名执业物理治疗师。使用修改后的物理治疗师对性问题的态度问卷、物理治疗师处理性问题的表现问卷以及讨论性问题的障碍问卷来收集数据，并使用社会科学统计软件包（SPSS）进行分析。
结果显示，物理治疗师在处理中风幸存者性问题时的态度与做法之间存在显著关联（<0.05）。尽管大多数物理治疗师表示有信心理解处理中风幸存者性问题的必要性，但其中只有四分之一的人经常或总是评估患者的性功能，以及在中风幸存者的护理计划中纳入勃起功能障碍治疗。患者的不适（88.9%）和知识与培训不足（70.8%）是最常被报告的障碍。尽管专业领域不同，但大多数人（95.8%）表示需要开展关于性问题的培训项目。
尽管参与研究的物理治疗师理解处理这些问题的必要性，但由于各种障碍，实际应用仍然有限。需要开展侧重于性健康的结构化培训项目，以弥合知识与实践之间的差距，从而提高中风幸存者的整体护理水平和生活质量。
