Sexual function among middle-aged women attending 2 primary health care facilities in Dr Kenneth Kaunda 3 District, South Africa
Date
2021
Authors
Mbonda, M.A.G.
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Abstract
Background: South African studies have demonstrated that the proportion of rural women living with sexual dysfunction is unknown.
Aim: To determine the proportion of women living with sexual dysfunction and factors associated with it.
Setting: This study was conducted at two rural primary care facilities in Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, North West Province, South Africa.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 276 women aged 40 - 65 years from July to October 2017. The Female Sexual Function Index-19 with a cut-off score of ≤ 26.55 was used to assess sexual dysfunction. Sexual dysfunction disorder was defined as a combination of low female sexual function index (FSFI) score and personal sexual distress.
Results: One hundred eighty-two (66%) of the women analysed lived with sexual dysfunction and 85 (30.8%) with sexual dysfunction disorder. Only 8 (3%) of the total sample demonstrated a good sexual desire. Diabetes and hypertension were significant independent predictors of female
sexual disorder (p< 0.05).
Conclusion: Many middle-aged women experience poor sexual functioning, which can have a detrimental effect on their quality of life. It is important that Primary Care professionals actively screen for sexual functioning in women aged 40 - 65 years, especially those living with diabetes and hypertension. There is a need for advocacy for policy changes in South African primary care to include sexual function screening in middle aged women, particularly those with
hypertension and diabetes.
Description
A research report completed by publishable article, submitted to the School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Medicine in Family Medicine (M.Med in Fam. Med)