Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

The potential of risky sexual behaviors and adolescent unplanned pregnancy has become a primary issue in the health care system for aborigines in eastern Taiwan. Using aboriginal nurses to provide information on sexual behaviors may have potential in promoting healthy sexual practices among aborigines. The purposes of this study were to explore Taiwanese aboriginal nurses’ beliefs, attitudes, and values about sexuality. Several health centers in eastern Taiwan were randomly selected to recruit participants in the year 2000. A self-report questionnaire was administered to 206 female nurses (mean age = 28.4, SD = 7.4) who worked in various clinical units. The results revealed that aboriginal nurses hold moderately positive beliefs, attitudes, and values about sexuality. The conflict between aboriginal nurses’ belief and value systems about sexuality was clear. A conflict between aboriginal nurses’ value systems and patients’ behaviors also existed. Strategies to help aboriginal nurses to be more aware of their beliefs, attitudes, and values about sexuality should be an essential issue in the practice and education of nurses.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Executive Yuan. (2000). 1999 Taiwan-Fukien demographic fact book. Taipei, Republic of China: Author.

Flaskerud, J. H. , & Nyamathi, A. M. (1989). Black and Latina women’s AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Research in Nursing and Health, 12, 339-346.

Fogel, C. I. , & Lauver, D. (1990). Sexual health promotion. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders.

Hayter, M. (1996). Is nonjudgmental care possible in the context of nurses’ attitudes to patients’ sexuality? Journal of Advanced Nursing, 24, 662-666.

Hinhson, R. W. , Strunin, L. , & Berlin, B. M. (1990). Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome transmission: Changes in knowledge and behaviors among teenagers. Massachusetts state-side survey, 1986 to 1988. Pediatrics, 85, 24-29.

Ko, Y. C. , Liu, B. H. , & Hsieh, S. F. (1994). Issues on aboriginal health in Taiwan. Kaohsiung Journal of Medicine Science, 10, 337-351.

MacDonald, N. E. , Wells, G. A. , Fisher, W. A. , Warren, W. K. , King, M. A. , Doherty, J. A. , et al. (1990). High-risk STD/HIV behavior among college students. Journal of the American Medical Association, 263, 3155-3159.

Medlar, T. , & Medlar, J. (1990). Nursing management of sexuality issues. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 5, 46-51.

National Commission on AIDS . (1994). Preventing HIV/AIDS in adolescents. Journal of School Health, 64, 39-51.

10.

Poorman, S. G. (1998). Sexual responses and sexual disorders. In G. W. Stuart & M. T. Laraia (Eds.), Principles and practice of psychiatric nursing (pp. 546-547). St. Louis, MO: Mosby.

11.

Tsai, Y. (1996). Predictors of nursing students’ intention to care for patients who are HIV positive. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

12.

Tseng, L. (1997). The adjustment of maternal role, stress, and social support among adolescents’ mothers in Hualien. Unpublished master’s thesis, Tzu Chi Medical College, Hualien, Taiwan.

13.

Wall-Haas, C. L. (1991). Nurses’ attitudes toward sexuality in adolescent patients. Pediatric Nursing, 17, 549-555.

Aboriginal Nurses’ Beliefs,Attitudes,and Values about Sexuality in Taiwan

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References