Journal of Education and Health Promotion

Confusion at the beginning of sexual intercourse, the challenge of patients after coronary artery bypass graft surgery in Iran: A qualitative study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

. Mohammad Pourebrahimi 1
. Masoud Fallahi‑Khoshknab 1
. Hamidreza Taghipour 2
. Abbas Ebadi 3
. Leila Gholizadeh 4
. Mohammadali Hosseini 5

1 Department of Nursing, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran,

2 Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Atherosclerosis Research Center, Baghiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

3 Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Life Style Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, Nursing Faculty, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

4 Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Australia

5 Department of Nursing, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Australia

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Many patients suffer from sexual dysfunction after coronary artery bypass graft
surgery, but they refuse to propose and follow up on the problem due to the cultural structures
prevailing in Iranian society. Untreated sexual dysfunction will disturb the quality of life of these
patients. This study was performed to explain the experiences of male patients from sexual problems
after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This qualitative study was performed with the approach of conventional
content analysis in Tehran in 2020. The data were collected through semi‑structured interviews with
12 men after coronary artery bypass graft surgery at the hospital’s cardiac surgery clinic, as well as
the surgeon’s clinic. Participants were selected by the targeted sampling method. After obtaining
informed consent, the collected data were written word by word, and the content analysis approach
was used to name the data, create analytical codes, and determine subcategories and categories.
The data were analyzed by MAXQDA 10 software.
RESULTS: The findings of this study show that the dimensions of confusion in patients’ sexual
intercourse after coronary artery bypass graft surgery in four subcategories of challenges of the first
intercourse after surgery, ambiguity in how to obtain information, the ambiguity of sexual issues after
surgery, and spouse are concerned about having sexual intercourse.
CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that male patients who have undergone coronary
artery bypass graft surgery have many ambiguities in the process of sexual intercourse, which passes
the beginning of sexual intercourse with fear and avoidance of intercourse. Postoperative patients
do not propose these problems with the medical staff when they suffer from sexual dysfunction or
ambiguity due to the taboo of talking about sexual intercourse. Eventually, the patient and his or her
partner become confused about sexual intercourse after surgery. Therefore, it is recommended that
policymakers in the field of health create the culture and planning for solving the ambiguities created
in the path of sexual intercourse of these patients.

Keywords

Coronary artery bypass graft surgery
qualitative research
sexual behavior
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Journal of Education and Health Promotion
Volume 11, Issue 3
March 2021
Pages 1-8

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