Out of sight, out of mind: Female sexuality and the care plan approach in psychiatric inpatients

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This study examines how often issues surrounding sexuality were taken into account when managing 56 women inpatients of reproductive age. METHOD: Examination of the records of women discharged from the psychiatric wards of a hospital. RESULTS: 80% for whom there was no mention of contraceptive usage were taking at least one drug that is inadvisable in pregnancy, and 53% of this group had an identified sexual partner. There was a lack of recorded data on other aspects of sexual health. When children were mentioned in the admitting history, details were incomplete. CONCLUSION: It is argued that a thorough approach to assessment and care planning is needed in this population.

• Women Sexual Health Serious Mental Illness Contraception Children