Sexual Function, Quality of Life and Marital Satisfaction in Women of Reproductive Age referred to Health Centers in Tabriz, 2012 -2013.

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Sexual dysfunction is a major concern for public health and several factors can affect women's sexual function. An important aspect of family life is marital satisfaction which is necessary for family establishment and children nurturing. Quality of life, one of the major concerns of health professionals, is the main indicator for measuring health status used in the researches. This study aimed to determine the status of sexual function, marital satisfaction and quality of life and their relationships and also their socio –demographic predictors in reproductive aged women –Tabriz, 2013. Materials and Methods: This cross –sectional study was conducted on 532 married women of reproductive age. The two-stage cluster sampling method was used. Data were collected by socio –demographic, women sexual function (FSFI), marital satisfaction (ENRICH) and quality of life (sf-36) questionnaires. The descriptive and analytical statistics including Pearson, t –test, one way ANOVA and general linear model were used for data analysis. Results: The mean (standard deviation) score of sexual function, sexual satisfaction, physical domain and mental domain of quality of life respectively was 65.9 (15.8), 61 (15.7), 60.3 (18.5) and 62.2 (17.1) of the possible range score of 0-100. There was a significant positive correlation between total score of marital satisfaction and sexual function (r=0.43) and all its sub domains and all its sub –domains with function (r=0.15- 0.33) and marital satisfaction (r=0.15 -0.49). Sufficiency of household income for expenses and satisfaction level of spouse were predictors of sexual function in women. Variables such as, sexual function, husband education, behavioral characteristics of husband, satisfaction level of spouse, the kind of husband choice and prior history of depression were marital satisfaction predictors. Sexual function, marital satisfaction, educational level and lifetime history of depressions were considered to be the predictors of both dimensions of quality of life. Conclusion: The findings of this study show that the score of sexual function in women and physical and mental aspects of quality of life among the participated women were moderate and the women marital satisfaction is a little above average. Sexual function and marital satisfaction are important variables affecting the quality of life in this group of people. Considering the important role of women in family and society, improving quality of life by relieving sexual problems and dysfunction and improving marital satisfaction help to achieve a strong family life and help to keep families safe and have a healthy society.