Vahdaninia Mariam, Montazeri Ali, Goshtasebi Azita
Iranian Institute for Health Sciences Research (IHSR), ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
BMC Womens Health. 2009 Feb 27;9:3. doi: 10.1186/1472-6874-9-3.
Female sexual dysfunctions (FSD) are prevalent multifactor problems that in general remain misdiagnosed in primary health care. This population-based study investigated help-seeking behaviors among women with FSD in Iran.
This was a cross sectional study carried out in Kohgilouyeh-Boyer-Ahmad province in Iran. Using quota sampling all sexually active women aged 15 and over registered in primary health care delivery centers were studied. Experience of sexual problems was assessed using an ad-hoc questionnaire (Female sexual dysfunction: help-seeking behaviors survey) containing 14 items. Trained female nurses interviewed all participants after a verbal informed consent. Data were analyzed in a descriptive manner.
In all 1540 women were studied. Of these, 786 (51%) cases had experienced at least one of the FSD problems. Results showed that 35.8% of women with FSD had sought no professional help and the most reasons for not seeking help were identified as: 'time constraints' and believing that it 'did not occur to me' (39.1 and 28.5% respectively). Sixty one percent of women who sought help for FSD reported that 'doctor gave me a definite diagnosis' and 'a definite treatment plan was given' in 57% of cases.
The study findings indicated that FSD problems were prevalent and many women did not seek help for their problem. Finding 'time constraints' and believing that the problem 'did not occur to me' as the most cited reasons for not seeking help might facilitate to understand potential barriers that exist in recognition and treatment of the female sexual dysfunctions. Since FSD might have a negative impact on interpersonal relationships and women's quality of life, it seems that there is need to address the problem both at local and national primary health care services.
女性性功能障碍（FSD）是普遍存在的多因素问题，在初级卫生保健中总体上仍被误诊。这项基于人群的研究调查了伊朗患有FSD的女性的求助行为。
这是一项在伊朗科吉卢耶 - 博耶 - 艾哈迈德省进行的横断面研究。采用配额抽样法，对在初级卫生保健服务中心登记的所有15岁及以上性活跃女性进行研究。使用一份包含14个条目的专门问卷（女性性功能障碍：求助行为调查）评估性问题经历。经过口头知情同意后，由经过培训的女护士对所有参与者进行访谈。数据采用描述性方式进行分析。
共研究了1540名女性。其中，786例（51%）至少经历过一种FSD问题。结果显示，35.8%的FSD女性未寻求专业帮助，未寻求帮助的最主要原因是“时间限制”以及认为“我没想到”（分别为39.1%和28.5%）。在因FSD寻求帮助的女性中，61%报告“医生给了我明确诊断”，57%的病例“给出了明确的治疗方案”。
研究结果表明，FSD问题普遍存在，许多女性未就其问题寻求帮助。将“时间限制”以及认为问题“我没想到”作为未寻求帮助的最常见原因，可能有助于理解在女性性功能障碍的识别和治疗中存在的潜在障碍。由于FSD可能对人际关系和女性生活质量产生负面影响，似乎有必要在地方和国家初级卫生保健服务中解决这一问题。
