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

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.