Sexual functions in pregnancy: different situations in near geography:a case study on Turkey, Iran and Greece

Validation and psychometric testing of the Chinese version of the prenatal body image questionnaire

BACKGROUND

The body image during pregnancy potentially affects both short- and long-term maternal and child health outcomes, including pregnancy mood, postpartum weight recovery, and the quality of mother-child interactions. However, research on the impact of body changes during pregnancy in the Chinese population is scarce. A comprehensive, practical, and reliable tool for assessing pregnant women is needed to detect, intervene in, and implement the reduction of physical dissatisfaction risk. This study translated the Prenatal Body Image Questionnaire (PBIQ) into the Chinese version (PBIQ-C) to assess the body image of pregnant women and evaluated its reliability and validity.

METHODS

An improved Brislin translation model was used for the translation. A panel of experts determined the content validity. A convenience sample of 429 pregnant women was chosen from three third-class hospitals in different regions of Fujian Province, China. Factor analysis, Pearson's correlation, retest reliability, and Cronbach's alpha were employed to evaluate structural validity and reliability.

RESULTS

The final PBIQ-C had five dimensions with 21 items. Exploratory factor analysis obtained a five-factor solution, which accounted for a total of 60.34%. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the model fit of the five-factor model also reached a satisfactory model fit after modifying: The Comparative Fit Index was 0.93, and the Tucker-Lewis Index was 0.92; the Root Mean Square Error of Approximation was 0.079. The content validity index of the scale ranged from 0.63 ~ 1.00. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.95 for the total scale, and the test-retest reliability was 0.80.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings indicated that the PBIQ-C is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing women's body image during pregnancy, which helps in the early identification of body dissatisfaction during pregnancy and enables the early prevention of postpartum depression.

Sexual attitudes and sexual functions during pregnancy: A comparative study

Background

Sexuality is a multidimensional, not shallow, concept that involves the biological make-up and desires of women and men. It is a complex process that is shaped by the culture to which the individual belongs and the social conditions in which he/she lives.

Aims

This descriptive and cross-sectional study aims to determine the sexual function status and sexual attitudes of Turkish and Syrian pregnant women who admitted to birth clinics in Turkey to investigate the relationship between pregnancy processes and some variables.

Methods

This descriptive and cross-sectional study population (n:200) consisted of Turkish and Syrian pregnant women who met the research inclusion criteria, agreed to participate in the research and admitted to the Y City Education and Research Hospital in Turkey.

Findings

In the study, the mean "Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI)" score of Turkish pregnant women was found to be (20.83 ± 9.28), whereas the FSFI score of Syrian pregnant women was (16.28 ± 11.45), Considering the Attitude Scale Towards Sexuality (ASTS), Turkish women score was found to be (123.77 ± 45.35), in contrast the ASTS score of Syrian pregnant women was (94.74 ± 43.69).

Clinical implications

Since sexual myths can have a negative impact on pregnant women's sexual functions, clinicians should be knowledgeable about sexuality and sexual myths.

Strengths & limitations

Regarding the limitations, first, the sample size was small. Second study results can only be generalized to this group. Last limitation, spouses of the women who participated in the study did not participate in the study.

Conclusion

The study found that there is a difference in the sexual dysfunction and sexual attitudes of the women, depending on to be the refugee and socio-cultural structure.

The prevalence of sexual dysfunctions in pregnant women and the correlated factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Sexual functions are negatively affected during pregnancy with the emergence of physical, hormonal, mental, emotional, and behavioral changes; however, there is no cumulative knowledge about the global prevalence of sexual dysfunction (SD) in pregnant women and the correlated factors in SD.

AIM

The study aimed to determine the prevalence of SD among pregnant women and the factors correlated with their SD scores.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies focusing on SD in pregnant women were conducted in the PubMed, EBSCOhost, Web of Science, Turkish Medline, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Ovid databases by using the following combination of keywords: "pregnant" OR "pregnancy" AND "sexual dysfunction."

OUTCOMES

Nearly 70% of pregnant women were at risk for SD. The age of the pregnant woman, the spouse's age, and the duration of marriage were negatively correlated with the SD score, while the education level was positively correlated with it.

RESULTS

Initially, 5644 studies were identified: 693 studies were evaluated for eligibility and 668 were removed following the exclusion criteria. A total of 25 studies involving 6871 pregnant women were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled SD prevalence in pregnant women was 69.7% (95% CI, 59.9%-77.9%).

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

The results of this study can be used in the organization of prenatal care, especially for pregnant women at high risk for SD.

STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS

This meta-analysis is the first to reveal the global prevalence of SD and the factors correlated with SD scores in pregnant women. The most important limitation of this study is that it analyzes documents showing pregnant women at risk for SD according to an unconfirmed measurement tool for pregnant women.

CONCLUSION

Most pregnant women experience SD symptoms. More research is needed, specifically on validated tools that assess pregnancy-specific SD symptoms.

Quality of Sexuality during Pregnancy, We Must Do Something-Survey Study

BACKGROUND

The main aim of this study was to describe the changes in sexual desire in pregnant women during the gestation period. We also sought to analyze their sexual habits, how they perceive their partners' attitudes, and determine if they know the importance of sex education during pregnancy.

METHODS

A cross-sectional descriptive observational study was conducted using an existing 32-item questionnaire among pregnant women attending the Fetal Welfare Clinic of a reference hospital. Univariate and bivariate analyses were performed.

RESULTS

One hundred seventeen women participated. 50.4% stated that their sexual interest decreased. Aspects like the number of coitus, feeling orgasm with penetration or with masturbation, or the frequency of oral sex, were significantly reduced during pregnancy. 90.6% of the women stated that they would like to receive more sex education during pregnancy. There were no differences according to their education level, their partners' education level, or whether they believed that sexual intercourse could harm the baby.

CONCLUSIONS

Several advances have been achieved in the healthcare that physicians and midwives provide pregnant women. However, the quality of women's sex lives still declines during pregnancy. Healthcare providers should assume a proactive role, essential in helping future parents to enjoy their sexuality and dispel myths about sexuality, regardless of their education level.

Sexual myths during pregnancy: a comparative study

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of sexual myths during pregnancy among pregnant women in Turkey and Iran and to compare the similarities and differences between the countries. This is a comparative and descriptive study. The sample included 200 pregnant women from Turkey and Iran. The data were collected using the Descriptive Information Form and Sexual Myths During Pregnancy Form. It was determined that the women in Turkey agreed more with statements, such as 'the infant feels sexual intercourse', 'the infant becomes happy and healthy', 'sexual intercourse during pregnancy is safe'. As for pregnant women in Iran, it was determined that they were more hesitant to agree with statements, such as 'sexual intercourse is a sin' and 'sexual intercourse causes infections'. In both countries, education on sexuality during pregnancy is needed to eliminate information deficiencies.Impact StatementWhat is already known on this subject? Sexual myths during pregnancy are exaggerated beliefs with no scientific accuracy. These beliefs affect the attitudes and behaviours related to sexuality during pregnancy.What do the results of this study add? This study has revealed that sexual myths during pregnancy are common among pregnant women in Turkey and Iran, and there are similarities and differences between the countries in terms of myths.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Healthcare professionals should question pregnant women about sexuality during pregnancy, identify missing and incorrect information, and provide counselling.

Prevalence of female sexual dysfunction during pregnancy in Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office Countries (EMRO): a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Sexual dysfunction is potential abnormality in the ability of a person to sexual respond or enjoy sexual experience. During pregnancy, sexual function is at risk and disorder due to physical, hormonal and psychological changes. The prevalence of female sexual dysfunction is very variable during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in pregnant women in the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office Countries (EMRO) by meta-analysis and systematic methods.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was reported based on the PRISMA checklist for systematic review and meta-analysis. This study investigated all articles with full English text in the EMRO region, from the international databases from 2000 to January 2019, which examined the prevalence of the sexual dysfunction in pregnant women. Statistical analysis was performed by using STATA12.1software.

RESULTS

The results reveal that the prevalence of the sexual dysfunction in pregnant women is65% (95% CI: 54-75%). The mean of total sexual dysfunction in women was 22.71 (95% CI: 18.52-28.51%) and for the first, second and third trimester of pregnancy were obtained as 23.77 (95% CI: 28.56-28.96%), 23.80 (95% CI: 23.78-23.82%) and 22.60 (95% CI: 22.58-22.62%), respectively.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence rate of sexual dysfunction is high in pregnant women in the EMRO region. The high rate of sexual dysfunction can be due to the difference in sexual performance scoring using the female sexual function questionnaire and on the other hand, pregnant women may be due to incorrect beliefs about sexual activity and cultural, religious and social restrictions and taboos, they have been avoiding to express their sexual function correctly.

Exploring the relationship between sexual function, sense of coherence, and well-being in a sample of Iranian breast cancer survivors

PURPOSE

This study was aimed at exploring the type and role of relationships between sexual function, sense of coherence (SOC), and well-being in a sample of Iranian breast cancer survivors.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study with correlational design, data were collected from 181 survivors by consecutive sampling. They answered demographic and clinical information sheet, the SOC scale, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and the Health Index (HI). The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.

RESULTS

The mean age of survivors was 47.04 ± 9.05 years. Most survivors were menopausal (51.9%) and underwent mastectomy (69.1%), and 12 months or more had passed since their treatment ended (71.2%). Sexual function was positively correlated with the level of SOC (r = 0.20) and the HI (r = 0.33). Also, there was a positive correlation between the level of SOC and the HI (r = 0.51). The results of logistic regression analyses showed the protective role of the SOC (OR: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.92-0.97) and the HI (OR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.79-0.96) for women's sexual function. According to these results, the mediating role of the SOC was assessed between the variables of the HI and the FSFI. The SOC revealed a complete mediating effect in this relationship.

CONCLUSIONS

The mediator role of the SOC between survivors' well-being and their sexual function helps nurses and clinicians to understand how the SOC can be used as a screening test to detect survivors who are at risk of sexual problems and to plan for salutogenic interventions.

Factors Affecting the Variation in Sexual Activity and Response before and During Pregnancy among Pregnant Women in Rasht City, Northern Iran

BACKGROUND

Pregnancy is one of the most sensitive periods in a woman's life, which sexual activity and intercourse are affected by the variations in physical, hormonal, and mental conditions. This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting the variations in sexual response before and during pregnancy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted on pregnant women at Rasht city (northern Iran), 2018. The data were collected using the pregnancy sexual response inventory (PSRI). Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential tests by SPSS 25 at a significance level of P<0.05.

RESULTS

The mean total score of sexual activity and response of the subjects before and during pregnancy were 73.04 ± 14.81 and 46.88 ± 16.51, respectively. The variations in the total score of sexual activity and response during pregnancy decreased by 26.16 points during pregnancy compared to before pregnancy. There was a positive correlation between the number of children and the score of the variations in sexual activity and response before and during pregnancy (r=0.143).

CONCLUSION

Couples with a higher level of education and a lower number of children had fewer variations in their sexual response. Therefore, it is possible to enhance the couples' sexual health through encouraging them to appropriately plan for childbearing, to share the responsibilities of taking care of their children, and to continue their education at higher levels.