Translating Sexual Dysfunction: Does Language Impact Clinical Discussion of Painful Sex?

Abstract

Objectives: Dyspareunia and sexual dysfunction are estimated to affect up to 22% and 43% of women respectively. There is concern that these statistics do not depict the true prevalence and that these conditions are frequently undiagnosed and untreated. By 2060, Latinos will make up 30% of the total population in the United States. As our patient population becomes more diverse, we need to ensure that our healthcare practices accommodate the changes. Methods:We surveyed a convenience sample of 107 English and 71 Spanish-speaking women, aged 18-45, at university affiliated clinics to identify the prevalence of dyspareunia and sexual dysfunction within our community. Additionally, we wanted to identify the rate that clinicians discuss painful sex with patients to identify if language impacted communication. The surveys collected data on subjective reporting of pain with sex and objective identification of sexual dysfunction with the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Additional questions identified if subjects discussed pain with their clinician. These questions were analyzed between languages across all domains.Results: A greater prevalence of both dyspareunia and sexual dysfunction were measured in our study population compared to prior reports (37.79% and 54.71% respectively). Spanish-speaking women had significantly lower self-reported dyspareunia (28.99%), but scored significantly lower on the FSFI, qualifying for sexual dysfunction (63.24%). Spanish-speakers discussed painful sex significantly less compared to the English cohort, but the overall discussion rate was only 17.26%. Conclusions:This pilot data demonstrates a need for further research on language as a barrier to communication about sexual function in clinic.

Development of Hindi-Translated Version of the Female Sexual Function Index for Evaluating Sexual Dysfunctions among Individuals with Anxiety, Depression, and Other Common Mental Health Conditions: Experiential Account and Preliminary Findings from India

“…Lately, attempts have also been made worldwide to translate the FSFI into native languages such as Spanish [12], Japanese [13], Urdu [14], etc. However, the available literature lacked documenting details of the translation process, back-translation, qualitative data from the expert panel discussion, and the cognitive interview (findings of the preliminary pilot testing).…”

“…For instance, FSFI has been translated, cross-culturally adapted, and psychometrically validated in Urdu by Rehman et al Here, the authors have mentioned that the scale has undergone stages of forward-translation, back-translation, and an expert panel discussion with pilot testing; however, how these steps were conducted and the qualitative data obtained thereof have not been discussed [14]. Similarly, another study that translated the original FSFI (English version) into Spanish lacked back-translation and pilot testing details [12].…”