Determinants of sexual function among survivors of gynaecological cancers in a tertiary hospital: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Gynaecological cancer impacts approximately three million women globally. The problem is much more intense in resource-limited countries. Sexual health is a critical aspect of gynaecological cancer treatment and an important component of quality of life (QoL).

AIMS

This study aimed to assess the determinants of sexual function among survivors of gynaecological cancer.

METHOD

This was a cross-sectional study. The simple random sampling technique was used to recruit survivors of gynaecological cancers aged 18 years and above on follow-up in a tertiary hospital in Kenya.

TOOLS

The study used the socio-demographic survey, Body Image Scale, Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale and Female Sexual Function Index.

RESULTS

Cervical cancer was the most common gynaecological malignancy among respondents (51%). The mean total score of the Female Sexual Function Index was significantly low at 10.0 (cut off = 26.5). The majority (85%) of respondents had sexual dysfunction. The most commonly affected sexual domain was lubrication at a mean value of 0.91 (SD = 1.58). Age (aOR = 0.05, 95% CI: 0.003-0.16, = 0.005), cancer stage 3 (aOR = 9.81, 95% CI: 1.34-20.56, = 0.035) and social support (aOR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.05-1.59, = 0.015) were independent predictors of sexual dysfunction.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of sexual dysfunction among gynaecological cancer survivors remains significantly high. Having cervical cancer was the most significant predictor of sexual dysfunction in this study population.

RECOMMENDATION

There is a need for further studies to improve the sexual life and hence the QoL among survivors of gynaecological malignancies.