Jordanian Patients Knowledge Regarding Sexual Health Following Coronary Artery Diseases

Background: Sexual health is one aspect of daily life that becomes affected after an individual suffers from coronary artery diseases. Sexual health assessment is an important aspect in assessing general health of patients with coronary artery diseases. Patients often express their concern about sexual well-being after coronary artery diseases but they rarely receive sexual health-related information. Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess Jordanian patients with coronary artery diseases toward sexual health and resuming sexual health activities. Methods: A descriptive, correlational and longitudinal design was used. A convenience sample of 90 patients with coronary artery diseases was enrolled. The study was conducted at one university-affiliated hospital and one public hospital in Amman. Patients' knowledge about sexual health was assessed using Sex after Myocardial Infarction Knowledge Test- Cardiac version. Results: The majority of patients (65.6%) were diagnosed with MI, male (76.7%) and above 45 years (78.9%). Most patients (72.2%) had a CAD for five years or less. Patients acknowledged the importance of sexual health assessment but they rarely receive sexual health information. The results revealed that patients' knowledge was limited regarding certain aspects of sexual health (M=13.74, SD= 3.26) at phase one and most patients (55.6%) had moderate knowledge. The results indicated that patients' knowledge had significantly improved at second phase. Conclusions: Sexual health is an important concern for patients with coronary artery diseases that need to be addressed after recovery. Results of the study showed that sexual health remains an important issue for both patients with coronary artery disease and their health care providers. Continuing education for nurses and health education for patients regarding sexual health should be considered in health institutions.