Healthcare Professionals’ Inclination to Ethical Values and Ethical Attitudes Toward Sexual-Reproductive Health

INTRODUCTION: Women's healthcare professionals' ethical values and attitudes regarding sexual-reproductive health are pivotal in guiding their ethical decision-making when confronted with moral issues and dilemmas in this field. This study investigated healthcare professionals’ inclination toward ethical values, their ethical attitudes toward sexual-reproductive health, and the effect of gender on those attitudes.
METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed between May 1, 2022, and October 30, 2022. The study sample comprised 106 doctors, 108 nurses, and 96 midwives from a maternity hospital (n=310). Participants were recruited using stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a Personal and Professional Information Form, the Inclination to Ethical Values Scale, and the Ethical Attitudes Towards Sexual-Reproductive Health Behaviors and Practices Survey.
RESULTS: Participants had a mean inclination to ethical values score of 69.56±10.32. Most participants had ethical attitudes toward sexual life, family planning, HIV/AIDS, virginity testing, female genital mutilation, and domestic violence against women. Less than half of the participants had ethical attitudes toward abortion, assisted reproductive techniques, prenatal diagnosis and screening, and cesarean section. Participants' attitudes were in line with legal regulations. Gender significantly affected participants' ethical attitudes toward sexual-reproductive health behaviors and practices (p<0.05). Participants were protective of their gender.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Ethical issues in sexual-reproductive health affect women more than men. Women's autonomy takes on heightened significance. Healthcare professionals often encounter ethical problems in sexual-reproductive health. Governments should take ethical values into account when regulating laws in this field. Healthcare professionals’ awareness and knowledge about reproductive ethics should be increased.