Young women's sexual health and their views on dialogue with health professionalsShow others and affiliations
2007 (English)In: Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, ISSN 0001-6349, E-ISSN 1600-0412, Vol. 86, no 5, p. 590-595Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
BACKGROUND:
Many women who experience sexual problems or who have been subjected to sexual abuse, do not seek help, and often health professionals avoid raising such issues. The aim of this study was to describe young women's sexual health and their views on a dialogue about aspects of sexuality in connection with a gynecologic examination.
METHOD:
Cross-sectional study. Women, 23, 26 and 29 years of age, called for gynecologic screening between March and July 2006 (n=488; response rate 75%). Descriptive statistics, multiple logistic regression and bivariate analysis were used.
RESULTS:
The majority (95%) had a positive attitude towards sexuality, although many women reported sexual problems, and one-fifth (22%) were dissatisfied with their sex life. Women considered it appropriate to be asked about sexuality in general (92%), while a majority (72%) found questions about sexual abuse appropriate. However, depending on the area, the majority (76-99%) had never been asked such questions. Demographic variables, aspects of life, sexuality and sexual abuse were irrelevant for whether women considered it appropriate to be asked questions about aspects of sexuality, by a midwife/doctor in connection with a gynecologic examination.
Conclusion:
The result can activate health professionals to initiate a dialogue about sexual issues among young women. In this way, many women who experience sexual problems or have been subjected to sexual abuse, may be provided the opportunity to improve their sexual health.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Oxford: John Wiley & Sons, 2007. Vol. 86, no 5, p. 590-595
Keywords [en]
dialogue, gynecologic examination, sexual health, young women, adult, article, bivariate analysis, controlled study, cross-sectional study, demography, female, gynecology, health practitioner, major clinical study, multivariate logistic regression analysis, priority journal, sexual abuse, sexual behavior, sexual dysfunction, sexual health, sexuality, attitude, communication barriers, cross-sectional studies, female, humans, physician-patient relations, questionnaires, physiological, psychological, sexuality, Sweden
National Category
Medical and Health Sciences
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-1497DOI: 10.1080/00016340701214035ISI: 000247237400014PubMedID: 17464589Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-34247559148Local ID: 2082/1877OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hh-1497DiVA, id: diva2:238715
2008-06-092008-06-092018-03-23Bibliographically approved