Sexual dysfunction among married couples living in Kumasi metropolis, Ghana

Abstract

BackgroundSexuality and its manifestation constitute some of the most complex of human behaviour and its disorders are encountered in community. Sexual dysfunction is more prevalent in women than in men. While studies examining sexual dysfunction among males and females in Ghana exist, there are no studies relating sexual problems in males and females as dyadic units. This study therefore investigated the prevalence and type of sexual disorders among married couples.MethodThe study participants consisted of married couples between the ages of 19 and 66 living in the province of Kumasi, Ghana. Socio-demographic information and Golombok-Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS) questionnaires were administered to 200 couples who consented to take part in the study. All 28 questions of the GRISS are answered on a five-point (Likert type) scale from "always", through "usually', "sometimes", and "hardly ever", to "never". Responses are summed up to give a total raw score ranging from 28-140. The total score and subscale scores are transformed using a standard nine point scale, with high scores indicating greater problems. Scores of five or more are considered to indicate SD. The study was conducted between July and September 2010.ResultsOut of a total of 200 married couples, 179 completed their questionnaires resulting in a response rate of 89.5%. The mean age of the participating couples as well as the mean duration of marriage was 34.8 ± 8.6 years and 7.8 ± 7.6 years respectively. The husbands (37.1 ± 8.6) were significantly older (p < 0.0001) than their corresponding wives (32.5 ± 7.9). After adjusting for age, 13-18 years of marriage life poses about 10 times significant risk of developing SD compared to 1-6 years of married life among the wives (OR: 10.8; CI: 1.1 - 49.1; p = 0.04). The total scores (6.0) as well as the percentage above the cut-off (59.2) obtained by the husbands compared to the total score (6.2) and the percentage above cut-off (61.5) obtained by the wives, indicates the likely presence of sexual dysfunction. The prevalence of impotence and premature ejaculation were 60.9% and 65.4% respectively from this study and the prevalence of vaginismus and anorgasmia were 69.3% and 74.9% respectively. The highest prevalence of SD subscales among the men was dissatisfaction with sexual act followed by infrequency, whereas the highest among the women was infrequency followed by anorgasmia. Dissatisfaction with sexual intercourse among men correlated positively with anorgasmia and wife's non-sensuality and infrequency of sex.ConclusionThe prevalence of sexual dysfunction in married couples is comparable to prevalence rates in the general male and female population and is further worsened by duration of marriage. This could impact significantly on a couple's self-esteem and overall quality of life.

Evaluation of sexual functions and marital adjustment of pregnant women in Turkey

“…9 Communication problems have been underlined as a common complaint presented by couples seeking marital therapy. 29,31 It was determined in one study in Turkey that family education program was effective in increasing marital adjustment and state of emotional reactiveness in the family system; however, it was ineffective in problem solving, communication, roles, affective involvement, behavior control and general function. 32 In conclusion, experience of sexual problems during pregnancy increased the risk of negative effects on marital harmony within the couples.…”

“…Several studies concluded that vaginismus prevalence was 68.1 and 69.3% of non-pregnant women in Ghana. 16,29 Association between characteristics of women and sexuality during pregnancy Sexual satisfaction is an integral part of life and human wellbeing. In the study, total GRISS score was found higher in women with lower educational level, living with three or more people in home, being multiparious, unplanned pregnancy, having pain during sexual intercourse and women who reported their sexual life were very affected during pregnancy.…”

Prevalence of female sexual dysfunction among Indian fertile females

“…It may be supported by the theory that with an increase in duration of marriage, there is a decrease in frequency of intercourse leading to satisfaction disorder. [10]…”

Sexual Dysfunctions and Affecting Factors in Middle Aged Indian Females

“…FSD was present in 47.6% of females with duration of marriage >20 years. It may be supported by theory that with increase in duration of marriage, there is decrease in frequency of intercourse leading to satisfaction disorder (18) . Physically inactive or females in sedentary life style suffer more from FSD (44.4%) than physically active women (20%).…”