Sexual functioning, quality of life, and condom use self-efficacy among male cancer patients receiving chemotherapy

An increase in cancer survival rates has led to a rise in the literature surrounding the sexual functioning of males during and after chemotherapy treatment. Since the toxic byproducts of chemotherapy can be excreted in semen, informational brochures developed by cancer institutions recommend using a condom. The use of condoms among the male population in the U.S. is relatively low, and its use during chemotherapy may place an extra burden on their sexual function. Furthermore, more self-efficacy for condom use is associated with the increased use of condoms among adolescent and young adults. However, there is little research on sexual function and self-efficacy for condom use among male oncology patients. This study aims to describe sexual functioning and condom use self-efficacy, particularly among sexually active male cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. We measured the self-efficacy for condom use and a change in sexual functioning before chemotherapy to 2 months after the start of chemotherapy. A paired t-test revealed a significant decrease in sexual functioning between baseline and the 2-month follow-up assessment (p = 0.009). A decrease was noted for all sexual functioning subscales except the desire/interest subscale that remained stable between baseline and 2-month follow-up. The mean (SD) of condom use self-efficacy was 43.98 (12.58), indicating a considerable variation in the men’s responses, while most men reported being “sure” to “very sure” regarding their self-efficacy for condom use. This descriptive information on sexual functioning and condom use self-efficacy can be used to better inform health providers as well as male oncology patients. Furthermore, the title of this dissertation was approved by and registered at the TWU’s IRB as “Sexual functioning, quality of life, and condom use self-efficacy among male cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.” However, only the topics of sexual functioning and condom use self-efficacy among sexually active male cancer patients receiving chemotherapy are measured in this study.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Nursing

Grantor

Texas Woman's University

Year dc:date.issued

2021

Author dc:creator

• Jenkins, Natosha D.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• McFarlane, Judith

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Cesario, Sandra
• Malecha, Ann
• Nibert, Ainslie

• Sexual functioning
• Condom use
• Self-efficacy
• Male cancer patient
• Chemotherapy

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/11274/13441

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:twu-ir.tdl.org:11274/13441