An assessment of the knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding sexual health among healthcare providers at a tertiary care hospital in Mumbai

Abstract Introduction: Sexual health is an essential component of overall well-being, yet discussions about sexuality remain a taboo among both the general population and healthcare providers. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of healthcare providers toward sexual health. Materials and Methods: This study was cross-sectional and observational in nature, conducted at a single center via questionnaire-based survey for the duration of 2 months, i.e. May to June 2025. The questionnaire used was semistructured, pretested, prevalidated by healthcare professionals, which resulted in a Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.8. Results: Among 116 respondents, 50% were doctors, 24% were interns, 12% were nurses, and 13% pharmacists. 62% of them were males and 37.9% females. 95% of respondents knew the complete definition of sexual health. 82% of them had never attended any seminar or conference on sexual health and 84% of healthcare providers were willing to attend training sessions on sexual health. 60% of them never counseled a patient about sexual health. Conclusion: Significant gaps remain between awareness and clinical practice regarding sexual health. Structured training initiatives, along with the integration of sexual health education into undergraduate curricula, are needed to strengthen provider competence and support comprehensive patient care.