MÖJLIGHETER OCH HINDER I SAMTAL OM SEXUELL HÄLSA- BARNMORSKORS PERSPEKTIV I DET KLINISKA ARBETET En systematisk litteraturöversikt

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Background: Sexual health is an important part of overall human well-being and encompasses physical, psychological, and social dimensions. Midwives meet women of all ages throughout their lives and have a central role in promoting sexual health. Research shows that counselling and access to sexual health services are influenced by factors such as knowledge, language, culture, and social conditions.Aim: The aim is to compile existing research on barriers and facilitating factors for midwives in providing information and engaging in discussions about sexual health in clinical practice.Method: A systematic literature review with qualitative data. Data collection was conductedin November 2025 in the databases CINAHL, Scopus, and PubMed. The data were analyzed using Bettany-Saltikov and McSherry’s nine-step data analysis process.Results: Nineteen qualitative studies published between 2010 and 2025 were included, comprising a total of 638 midwives. The analysis resulted in one main categories: Navigating the complexity of conversations about sexual health. Midwives’ experiences of discussing sexual health were influenced by linguistic and cultural factors, lack of knowledge, and organizational barriers such as time constraints, and unclear guidelines. These factors limited midwives’ ability to provide equitable, individualized counselling and care.Conclusion: Midwives’ work with sexual health is perceived as complex and is influenced by multiple factors that limit the possibility of providing equitable and individualized care. The results clearly demonstrate a need for increased education and structural support to strengthen midwives’ capacity to discuss and provide information about sexual health.