Sexuality and breastfeeding: concepts and approaches of primary health care nurses

Abstract

The objective of this study is to identify the primary health care nurses' concepts about sexuality, and how this theme is integrated within the health care practices of these professionals when working with breastfeeding women. This qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study was performed with eight nurses from three primary health care units in a city in the north region of Rio Grande do Sul state. Data collection was performed through semi-structured interviews. Thematic content analysis revealed three themes: ideation about sexuality; sexuality and breastfeeding; and sexuality and nursing practices aimed at the breastfeeding woman. The study revealed that nursing professionals understand the broad meaning that sexuality represents and the relationship it has with breastfeeding, but they do not approach this theme in the care provided to women engaged in the breastfeeding process, thus their practices are grounded in the biomedical approach.