The determination of information needs of psychiatric clinic nurses regarding nursing interventions for individuals exposed to sexual violence

Objective: Aim of this study was to determine the information needs of psychiatric nurses regarding to nursing interventions for the individuals exposed to sexual violence. Method: This study has a multiple case holistic design that is a kinf of qualitative research type. The sample of the study consisted of 17 psychiatric nurses selected by purposive sampling method and criterion sampling technique from Akdeniz University Hospital Psychiatry Clinic, Atatürk State Hospital Psychiatry Clinic and Antalya Training and Research Hospital Psychiatry Clinic. Semi-structured in-depth individual and focus group interviews based on open-ended questions were used for data collection. The data were analyzed by thematic, descriptive and content analysis methods aided by Nvivo 10 software program. Results: According to the data obtained from the interviews with the nurses, psychiatric clinic nurses 'information needs for nursing interventions for individuals exposed to sexual violence were covered in four key categories: perceptions, interventions, information requirements, and nurses' expectations and recommendations. Under these categories, 14 main themes and 89 sub themes were identified: definition of sexuality, definition of sexual violence and the situation of the individual exposed to sexual violence and working with these individuals; medical history, gathering evidence, deciding on nursing interventions, communication and interviewing skills, legal and ethical responsibilities, institutional, professionals, other staffs, educators and social expectations and suggestions. Conclusion: It was revealed that nurses had information needs to use knowledge and skills related to sexual violence. In this respect, it may be suggested for nurses to provide training for their individual, professional, legal and ethical responsibilities for working with individuals who have been exposed to sexual violence, legal identification of their expertise in forensic nursing and forensic psychiatry nursing. Key words: nursing care, psychiatric nursing, sexual violence, sexuality, qualitative research