Abstract
BackgroundCOVID-19 was first diagnosed in Kenya in March 2020 following which the government instituted control measures which could have affected people's sexual satisfaction and overall quality of life including restrictions in travels; ban on alcohol consumption and closure of bars; 9 pm to 5 am curfew; ban on political rallies, and closure of many workplaces with people being encouraged to work from home.AimThe objective of this study was to determine how perceived and experienced sexual satisfaction changed with the advent of COVID-19 among heterosexual married individuals in Kenya.MethodsThe study was a cross-sectional survey. Data was collected virtually using monkey survey from social groups. A total of 194 participants responded to the survey.OutcomesThe difference in overall sexual satisfaction as well as satisfaction with sex frequency; sex process; and time, place and ambience around sexual intercourse before and during COVID-19.ResultsMost of the participants (73.4%) reported that they were satisfied with their marital sex before COVID-19 but the proportion of those reporting satisfaction dropped to 58.4% when they were asked about their experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among participants surveyed during the pandemic itself, therefore, 41.3% reported that they were currently sexually dissatisfied whereas just 26.6% reported that they were dissatisfied even prior to the pandemic. There was a significant difference in the overall distributions before and during COVID-19 (χ² = 38.86, P< .001).Clinical TranslationCOVID-19 pandemic should be considered an etiology of sexual dissatisfaction and possibly sexual dysfunctions and COVID-19 control measures should incorporate ways of enhancing sexual well-being.ConclusionThere was perceived increase in dissatisfaction with sex which could be a pointer to the falling quality of life during COVID-19 pandemic especially among the most sexually active men aged 31–50 years living in places where COVID-19 control measures are being stringently implemented. Osur J, Ireri EM, Esho T. The Effect of COVID-19 and Its Control Measures on Sexual Satisfaction Among Married Couples in Kenya. Sex Med 2021;9:100354.
Highlights
The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has infected millions of people across the world from the time the DirectorGeneral of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it a global pandemic on March 11, 2020.1 The pandemic has brought with it a new normal way of life dictated by measures to control it
16 survey responses were excluded from the study because their IP addresses indicated that the respondents were outside Kenya and the sample size reduced to 194 survey responses
This study showed a pattern of increasing dissatisfaction with sex during COVID-19 lockdown compared to before COVID19 pandemic in Kenya among married couples with overall satisfaction falling from 73.4% to 58.4% (P< .001)
Summary
COVID-19 control measures, especially lockdowns and curfews have caused couples to spend more time together This together with other social and economic impacts of COVID-19 could have affected sexual satisfaction in couples. Previous studies have shown that the amount of time spent together may contribute to relationship confidence and satisfaction as well as improved intimacy.[2] According to Milek et al[3] shared time only improves intimacy if there is no intradyadic stress It is not clear how COVID-19 and its control measures have changed these dynamics in relationships and impacted sexual satisfaction in Kenya. Conclusion: There was perceived increase in dissatisfaction with sex which could be a pointer to the falling quality of life during COVID-19 pandemic especially among the most sexually active men aged 31−50 years living in places where COVID-19 control measures are being stringently implemented.
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