Socioeconomic Variables Effecting Female Sexual Function in an Urban, Community Setting

Krista L Neal,Victoria Greenberg,Brett Worly,Mazvita Nyamukapa,Alexis Braverman,Stephanie Teng

doi:10.4236/ojog.2015.54028

Abstract

Introduction: Female sexual dysfunction is a common problem affecting 12% - 63% of the population, and its relationship with demographic factors, depression, and urinary incontinence needs to be more clearly identified. Aims: To determine demographic and clinical conditions associated with female sexual dysfunction in an urban population of women seeking routine gynecologic care. Methods: A cross-sectional, IRB approved study with a convenience sample was performed of 238 sexually-active, non-pregnant women reporting to two urban gynecology clinics: a private practice (n = 168) and a publicly funded ambulatory clinic (n = 70). Main Outcome Measures: The participants completed informed consent and a demographic questionnaire, plus validated questionnaires that measured sexual function with the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), depression with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and urinary incontinence with the Questionnaire for Urinary Incontinence Diagnosis (QUID). Results: The mean FSFI score for those with public insurance and private insurance was 29.5 ± 4.2 and 27.8 ± 5.1 (OR 0.746, p = 0.0005, 95% CI 0.633, 0.881) respectively. In comparing “private” and “public” patient groups, age, weight, race, education, employment, exercise, household income, smoking, alcohol frequency, and sex frequency were all significantly different (p

Highlights

Female sexual dysfunction is a common problem affecting 12% - 63% of the population, and its relationship with demographic factors, depression, and urinary incontinence needs to be more clearly identified
This study investigates the link between sexual dysfunction, depression, urinary incontinence, socioeconomic status, type of health insurance, as well as other demographic factors in these two patient populations
In linear regression analysis of the two groups, household income, not age, was more closely related to female sexual function, based on the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Those with higher household incomes in the “public” and “private” groups had better sexual function on the FSFI based on linear regression analysis

Summary

Introduction

Female sexual dysfunction is a common problem affecting 12% - 63% of the population, and its relationship with demographic factors, depression, and urinary incontinence needs to be more clearly identified. Aims: To determine demographic and clinical conditions associated with female sexual dysfunction in an urban population of women seeking routine gynecologic care. Multivariate logistic regression analysis found that female sexual dysfunction correlated with less education (OR 1.379, p = 0.0346, 95% CI 1.024, 1.858), and worsening depression identified by CES-D score (OR 1.088, p < 0.0001, 95% CI 1.043, 1.135). Conclusions: Female sexual dysfunction was associated with decreased household income, urinary incontinence, less education, and depression. Specific risk factors for female sexual dysfunction have been previously reported, and include age, general stress, urinary tract problems including incontinence, depression, poly-pharmacy, and declining income [1]-[6] [18] [19]. Previous work did not use validated sexual function, urinary incontinence, and depression questionnaires simultaneously in looking at the impact of socioeconomic and cultural variables on female sexual function

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