Brazilian Residents' Attitude and Practice Toward Sexual Health Issues in Pregnant Patients

ABSTRACT Introduction Sexual difficulties and questions regarding sexual function are frequent in pregnancy, yet they are infrequently discussed in academic communities, medical schools, and residency programs. Embarrassment, lack of experience, inadequate communication skills and insufficient knowledge on how to deal with sexual complaints, and questions in pregnancy are common, especially among young health professionals. Aim The aim of this study was to assess and compare the attitude and behavior of Brazilian residents in three different medical programs (obstetrics gynecology, internal medicine, and psychiatry) toward sexual health issues of pregnant patients. Methods Survey conducted in a single Brazilian university using anonymous self responsive questionnaires on how residents deal with sexual health issues of obstetric patients. A total of 154 residents from the three different programs (47 obstetrics gynecology, 33 psychiatry, 74 internal medicine) participated. Main Outcome Measures Attitude and practice of medical residents regarding sexual health issues of pregnant patients. Results Less than 20% of the residents reported that they routinely asked obstetric patients about their sexual health, although almost 70% stated this should be part of every history. Psychiatry residents were significantly more likely to actively seek information about the sexual health of obstetric patients than others (57.6%, 17%, 4.1%, psychiatry, obstetrics gynecology, internal medicine, respectively, P Conclusions Most residents do not feel comfortable or confident and lack specific knowledge and skills to deal with questions related to sexual problems during pregnancy. Vieira TCSB, de Souza E, Abdo CHN, Torloni MR, Santana TGM, Leite APL, and Nakamura MU. Brazilian residents' attitude and practice toward sexual health issues in pregnant patients. J Sex Med **;**:**–**.