[Training of primary health care nurses on sexuality: a study of associated factors]

The present work presents a mixed study that evaluates the factors related to the basic formation in sexuality for Portuguese nurses of primary health care. 1735 nurses working in the 18 Health Sub-Regions of the Continent and the 2 Health Regional Secretaries of the Autonomous Regions of Madeira and Azores, corresponding to 226 Health Centers, were studied between March 2004 and July 2005. The profile of the Portuguese primary health care nurse with basic training on sexuality is between 22/30 years of age, 1/7 years of professional exercise, single, resident in Madeira or Azores, with bachelor degree and from a private nursing school. The nurses with special training in sexuality are essentially nurses with more than 38 years of age, with more than 13 years of professional exercise, seaside or Azores resident, specialists in one nursing branch, a masters degree and from public nursing schools. It was found that the 31-37 age group shows a deficit either in basic or specific training about sexuality.