Reproductive and sexual health in males with cystic fibrosis: A case for health professional education and training

Abstract

Purpose: To survey the attitudes and clinical practice of health professionals to identify current practice and possible barriers to discussion of sexual and reproductive health issues in adolescent males with cystic fibrosis (CF). Methods: An interview schedule was developed to seek information about attitudes to reproductive and sexual health in males with CF and to elicit details of reported professional practice of health care providers from four CF centers in Massachusetts. Results: Of 32 health professionals interviewed, 66% informed parents about male infertility soon after diagnosis in infancy; 22% of those not informing parents at this time waited until later childhood or adolescenc..