Sexual function in women in rural Tamil Nadu: Disease, dysfunction, distress and norms.
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Date
2014-01
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Abstract
Background. We examined the nature, prevalence and
explanatory models of sexual concerns and dysfunction among
women in rural Tamil Nadu.
Methods. Married women between 18 and 65 years of
age, from randomly selected villages in Kaniyambadi block,
Vellore district, Tamil Nadu, were chosen by stratified sampling
technique. Sexual functioning was assessed using the Female
Sexual Function Index (FSFI). The modified Short Explanatory
Model Interview (SEMI) was used to assess beliefs about sexual
concerns and the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-
12) was used to screen for common mental disorders. Sociodemographic
variables and other risk factors were also assessed.
Results. Most of the women (277; 98.2%) contacted
agreed to participate in the study. The prevalence of sexual
dysfunction, based on the cut-off score on the FSFI, was
64.3%. However, only a minority of women considered it a
problem (4.7%), expressed dissatisfaction (5.8%) or sought
medical help (2.5%). The most common explanatory models
offered for sexual problems included an unhappy marriage,
stress and physical problems. Factors associated with lower FSFI
included older age, illiteracy, as well as medical illness and sexual
and marital factors such as menopause, poor quality of marital
relationship, history of physical abuse and lack of privacy.
Conclusion. The diagnosis of female sexual dysfunction
needs to be nuanced and based on the broader personal and
social context. Our findings argue that there is a need to use
models that employ personal, local and contextual standards
in assessing complex behaviours such as sexual function.
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VISWANATHAN SHONIMA, PRASAD JASMINE, JACOB K S, KURUVILLA ANJU. Sexual function in women in rural Tamil Nadu: Disease, dysfunction, distress and norms. National Medical Journal of India. 2014 Jab-Feb ; 27 (1): 4-8.