Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare Provided to Women Diagnosed with Serious Mental Illness: Healthcare Professionals’ Perspectives

<b>Background</b>: Women diagnosed with serious mental illness (SMI) face increased vulnerability and significant risks to their sexual and reproductive health, an issue that is often overlooked in healthcare systems. Aim: This study aimed to explore the sexual and reproductive healthcar...

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Main Authors: Glòria Tort-Nasarre, Paola Galbany-Estragués, María Ángeles Saz Roy, Maria Romeu-Labayen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Nursing Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/15/4/119
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author Glòria Tort-Nasarre
Paola Galbany-Estragués
María Ángeles Saz Roy
Maria Romeu-Labayen
author_facet Glòria Tort-Nasarre
Paola Galbany-Estragués
María Ángeles Saz Roy
Maria Romeu-Labayen
author_sort Glòria Tort-Nasarre
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background</b>: Women diagnosed with serious mental illness (SMI) face increased vulnerability and significant risks to their sexual and reproductive health, an issue that is often overlooked in healthcare systems. Aim: This study aimed to explore the sexual and reproductive healthcare provided to women with SMI, based on the perspectives of professionals specialising in mental health and sexual and reproductive health. <b>Methods</b>: A descriptive qualitative design was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of professionals from community mental health and sexual and reproductive health in Catalonia (Spain). Data were analysed using thematic analysis. <b>Results</b>: Two themes were identified: clinical practice and professional context. The clinical practice theme had three sub-themes: lack of a preventive framework, attention to sexual and reproductive needs, and supporting women in their desire for motherhood and in pregnancy. The professional context theme had four sub-themes: cross-disciplinary coordination, lack of protocols, lack of human resources and time, and lack of training in mental health. <b>Conclusions</b>: Mental health professionals and sexual and reproductive health professionals expressed different perspectives about sexual and reproductive healthcare for women with SMI, pointing to a need for greater training and coordination.
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spelling doaj-art-d3060c2f2e544aa1b9ca210c0c83723e2025-08-20T03:13:53ZengMDPI AGNursing Reports2039-439X2039-44032025-03-0115411910.3390/nursrep15040119Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare Provided to Women Diagnosed with Serious Mental Illness: Healthcare Professionals’ PerspectivesGlòria Tort-Nasarre0Paola Galbany-Estragués1María Ángeles Saz Roy2Maria Romeu-Labayen3Faculty of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Lleida, 25198 Lleida, Lleida, SpainAFIN Research Group and Outreach Centre, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallés, Barcelona, SpainDepartment of Public Health, Mental Health and Mother-Infant Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, University of Barcelona, 08907 L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, SpainAFIN Research Group and Outreach Centre, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallés, Barcelona, Spain<b>Background</b>: Women diagnosed with serious mental illness (SMI) face increased vulnerability and significant risks to their sexual and reproductive health, an issue that is often overlooked in healthcare systems. Aim: This study aimed to explore the sexual and reproductive healthcare provided to women with SMI, based on the perspectives of professionals specialising in mental health and sexual and reproductive health. <b>Methods</b>: A descriptive qualitative design was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of professionals from community mental health and sexual and reproductive health in Catalonia (Spain). Data were analysed using thematic analysis. <b>Results</b>: Two themes were identified: clinical practice and professional context. The clinical practice theme had three sub-themes: lack of a preventive framework, attention to sexual and reproductive needs, and supporting women in their desire for motherhood and in pregnancy. The professional context theme had four sub-themes: cross-disciplinary coordination, lack of protocols, lack of human resources and time, and lack of training in mental health. <b>Conclusions</b>: Mental health professionals and sexual and reproductive health professionals expressed different perspectives about sexual and reproductive healthcare for women with SMI, pointing to a need for greater training and coordination.https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/15/4/119nursingserious mental illnessprofessional practicequalitative researchreproductive healthsexual health
spellingShingle Glòria Tort-Nasarre
Paola Galbany-Estragués
María Ángeles Saz Roy
Maria Romeu-Labayen
Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare Provided to Women Diagnosed with Serious Mental Illness: Healthcare Professionals’ Perspectives
Nursing Reports
nursing
serious mental illness
professional practice
qualitative research
reproductive health
sexual health
title Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare Provided to Women Diagnosed with Serious Mental Illness: Healthcare Professionals’ Perspectives
title_full Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare Provided to Women Diagnosed with Serious Mental Illness: Healthcare Professionals’ Perspectives
title_fullStr Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare Provided to Women Diagnosed with Serious Mental Illness: Healthcare Professionals’ Perspectives
title_full_unstemmed Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare Provided to Women Diagnosed with Serious Mental Illness: Healthcare Professionals’ Perspectives
title_short Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare Provided to Women Diagnosed with Serious Mental Illness: Healthcare Professionals’ Perspectives
title_sort sexual and reproductive healthcare provided to women diagnosed with serious mental illness healthcare professionals perspectives
topic nursing
serious mental illness
professional practice
qualitative research
reproductive health
sexual health
url https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/15/4/119
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