Effectiveness of a Sexuality Workshop for Nurse Aides in Long-Term Care Facilities

Abstract

Background: In long-term care facilities, there are frequent conflicts related to elderly residents’ sexual expression. Nurse aides usually handle such conflicts with negative or negligent attitudes; therefore, elderly sexuality is considered “problem behavior” and is stigmatized. Objectives: This study aimed to improve elderly residents’ quality of sexual life by enhancing nurse aides’ knowledge and attitudes toward elderly sexuality through sexuality workshops. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 64 nurse aides and 58 residents, who were divided into two groups, i.e., an experimental group and a control group, according to the floor where the residents resided. The nurse aides in the experimental group participated in sexuality workshops and were compared with those in the control group with respect to their knowledge of and attitudes toward sexuality; the residents’ quality of sexual life was also compared between groups. Results: Compared with the control group, in the experimental group, the nurse aides’ knowledge of and attitudes toward elderly sexuality as well as the residents’ quality of sexual life significantly and continually improved after the sexuality workshops. Conclusion: The four-week sexuality workshop is effective and may be used as an example in developing occupational education programs regarding elderly sexuality in long-term care facilities.

Sexual harassment prevention program for Indonesian nursing aides: a mixed-methods study

“…Our results are consistent with a prior study that showed that anti-sexual harassment programs can be effective for improving knowledge and attitudes among nurse aides in long term care facilities [24]. That study noted that fear of speaking up and not knowing how to respond were associated with less personal safety [19], [24], [25]. Another study found a significant positive correlation between personal safety and the fear of sexual harassment and demonstrated that a culturally sensitive and institutionally-based approach was not only useful at the individual level, it positively affected workplace culture for women at the institutional level [26].…”

“…The theme "ability to respond in an effective manner" refers to an important aspect of problem solving, contrasting active behavior with a more conservative, deferential attitude. Problem solving is a universally valued job skill, so understanding the critical components of problem solving can help to demonstrate healthy behavior and logical thinking [19]. Attitudes can predict behaviors, such as specific actions to take when encountering and dealing with sexual harassment at work, and can influenced by practical training for FNAs [19].…”

“…Problem solving is a universally valued job skill, so understanding the critical components of problem solving can help to demonstrate healthy behavior and logical thinking [19]. Attitudes can predict behaviors, such as specific actions to take when encountering and dealing with sexual harassment at work, and can influenced by practical training for FNAs [19]. Higher education level has been significantly and positively linked to problem solving performance, along with other factors such as ethics, intellectual honesty, prudence, and clinical practice experience.…”

“…Possible responses to sexual harassment range from withdrawal and avoidance, to actions aimed at distracting the perpetrator, for example, changing the subject of conversation, using humor, removing patients' hands from their body, leaving the room, not wearing revealing clothes, and avoiding bending down or turning their back to patients who pose a high risk. All foreign nurse aides should get training enabling them to step in to help if they see someone in danger of sexual assault in the workplace, for example, by creating a distraction, asking directly, referring to an authority, and enlisting others' help [19], [28].…”

“…Documented reports of sexual harassment represent only the tip of an iceberg, due to fear [17], [18]. Many cases of sexual harassment continue to go unreported due to nurses' personal or professional conflicts and pressures associated with reporting, such as fear of retaliation, termination of employment, disclosure of sexual history, and public shame [19]. Even in workplaces using a zero-tolerance policy to prevent sexual harassment, women fear losing their jobs and may be afraid to speak out [20], [21].…”