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Female sexual dysfunction in Egyptian women with anxiety: prevalence and patterns

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A Correction to this article was published on 18 July 2018

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Abstract

Background

Sexual function is extremely complicated, and various factors including psychological issues can influence women’s behavior. The purpose of this study was to assess female sexual dysfunction (FSD) and its related factors in women with anxiety disorder in Beni-Suef, Upper Egypt.

Subjects and methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out between July and October 2017 with a sample size of 119 women of reproductive age and diagnosed with anxiety using The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) at the Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic of Beni-Suef General Hospital, Upper Egypt. Sexual dysfunction was assessed using the Arabic version of the Female Sexual Function Index (ArFSFI).

Results

The mean age of the enrolled women was 33.3 ± 7.2 years. Of these, 43.7% had mild anxiety, 33.6% moderate anxiety, and 22.7% severe anxiety, and 76 (77.6%) had FSD. Dysfunctions in lubrication, arousal and experience of pain were the most commonly reported problems at 95%, 88.2% and 84.9%, respectively. The BAI scores were negatively correlated with the scores of the various FSFI domains (p < 0.05). Old age, irregular menstrual cycles, and long periods of marriage were risk factors for developing FSD (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

FSD is highly prevalent in patients with anxiety. Higher anxiety scores inversely correlated with the patients’ sexuality. Further research should focus on possible roles for counseling programs on mitigating the negative sexual consequences of anxiety.

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Change history

  • 18 July 2018

    In table 4: column 3, row 1 - n = 78 (%) should be 35.0 ± 7.4. The correct table is shown below.

  • 18 July 2018

    In table 4: column 3, row 1 - n?=?78 (%) should be 35.0???7.4. The correct table is shown below.

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Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Mukbel, 62511, Egypt

    A. E. Arafa & S. A. Senosy

Authors
  1. A. E. Arafa
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  2. S. A. Senosy
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Correspondence to S. A. Senosy.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

The original version of this article was revised: In table 4: column 3, row 1 - n = 78 (%) should be 35.0±7.4.

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Arafa, A.E., Senosy, S.A. Female sexual dysfunction in Egyptian women with anxiety: prevalence and patterns. J Public Health (Berl.) 26, 545–549 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-018-0896-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-018-0896-6

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