The Effect of Body Image Satisfaction on Women’s Sexual Function in Postpartum Period

Does the postpartum body image of primiparous women giving vaginal delivery affect their sexual functions and depression and fatigue levels?

The body image-related problems can negatively affect women's lives in many ways. The study was aimed at investigating the effects of postpartum body image on sexual functions, and fatigue and depression levels of primiparous women who gave birth vaginally. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 133 women who presented to the obstetrics and gynecology clinics of a state hospital in Turkey between June 2021 and December 2021. At the end of the study, a moderate relationship was determined between the women's body image and their depression (r = 0.500; p < 0.001) and fatigue (r = 0.666; p < 0.001) levels, and a weak relationship between their body image and sexual functions (r = -0.372; p < 0.001). According to the backward regression model used in the study, the women's fatigue and education levels accounted for their body image by 45.7%.

Sexual abstinence as a reproductive health-promoting behavior for women: A perspective

This article is intended to provide an appropriate context for adopting sexual abstinence from a health-promoting behavioral perspective that can be applied to women of reproductive age worldwide to improve reproductive health, maintain well-being, and prevent health problems in women. The topics related to women's health status, sexual abstinence definitions, benefits, and application, as well as sexual autonomy and efficacy, including family collaboration, are discussed. This article will provide health care providers, especially nurses and midwives, with new ideas for integrating sexual abstinence into nursing and midwifery practice.

Nursing diagnoses of the self-perception domain in women in the puerperium

PURPOSE

During puerperium, women experience changes that may be responsible for disorders in the phenomenon of self-perception. Thus, the present study aims to analyze the nursing diagnoses of the self-perception domain of NANDA International Taxonomy II in puerperal women.

METHODS

Descriptive, cross-sectional, and quantitative study. The sample consisted of 153 women on puerperium followed in a University Hospital in a Brazilian capital. Data were collected through interviews with the application of an instrument. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee (CAAE: 02849818.0. 0000.5208).

FINDINGS

The most prevalent Nursing Diagnosis of the self-concept class was Readiness for enhanced self-concept, which presented statistically significant associations with two defining characteristics. The risk for situational low self-esteem was the most prevalent Nursing Diagnosis in the Self-esteem class and presented associations to two risk factors. The Nursing Diagnosis Disrupted body image, present in the Body Image class, showed associations with 11 significant defining characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS

The analysis of the Nursing Diagnosis of the Self-Perception domain can assist in planning interventions directed to the specific needs of women in the puerperium.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

This study may contribute to the development of specific interventions to the reality of the puerperal, encouraging the nursing professional to implement the Nursing Process in the clinical practice. It may also contribute to the refinement of the NANDA-II taxonomy and the advancement of nursing research, in addition to providing safe clinical practice grounded in scientific knowledge for planning educational actions in puerperal women in order to minimize the negative perceptions experienced by them.