Danish Health professionals Students' Attitudes towards Addressing Sexual Health - A Cross sectional Survey

Abstract

Introduction Danish health professional (HP) students' attitudes toward addressing sexual health are unknown.

Aim To investigate Danish HP students' attitudes toward addressing sexual health in their future professions, and to assess differences in perceived competences and preparedness between professional programs.

Methods A Danish national survey of nursing, occupational therapy, and physiotherapy students was conducted. Totally, 1,212 students were invited to respond to an online questionnaire “The Students' Attitudes toward Addressing Sexual Health.”

Main Outcome Measure The main outcome measures investigated were Danish HP students' attitudes toward addressing sexual health in their future professions, and differences in perceived competences and preparedness depending on the professional program.

Results A total of 584 students (48%; nursing 44%, occupational therapy 70%, physiotherapy 43%) responded. Mean total score ranged between 63.7 and 66.3 (±8.3–8.8) classifying students in the low-end of the class: “comfortable and prepared in some situations.” No clinically relevant differences were determined between the professional programs with respect to perceived competences and preparedness to address sexual health.

Conclusion In the field of addressing sexual health, most Danish HP students reported positive attitudes and a need for basic knowledge, competences, communication training, and education.