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Zhao M, O'Hara CA, Sahril NB, Liu H, Pei K, Ivanova O, Larsson EC, Shamu S, Kpokiri E, Cleeve A, Tucker JD, Michielsen K, Zhang WH. Associations between the COVID-19 pandemic and women's fertility intentions: a multi-country, cross-sectional (I-SHARE) study. BMJ SEXUAL & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH 2024; 50:83-91. [PMID: 37857464 DOI: 10.1136/bmjsrh-2023-201819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 pandemic, together with the subsequent social distancing measures, could lead to shifts in family and fertility planning. This study aimed to explore the associations between the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in fertility intentions among an international sample of reproductive-aged women. METHODS A multi-country, cross-sectional study based on data from 10 672 women aged 18-49 years who participated in the International Sexual Health And REproductive Health (I-SHARE) study, which organised an international online survey between July 2020 and February 2021. Factors associated with changes in fertility intentions were explored using multinomial probit regression models. Cluster-robust standard errors were used to calculate model parameters. RESULTS Of 10 672 included reproductive-aged women, 14.4% reported changing their fertility intentions due to the pandemic, with 10.2% postponement and 4.2% acceleration. Women who had ever been isolated/quarantined were more likely to postpone their fertility intentions (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=1.41; 95% CI 1.18 to 1.69) compared with those who had not; women who lived with a steady partner were more likely to want children sooner (AOR=1.57; 95% CI 1.10 to 2.23) compared with those who did not; and those who reported a higher frequency of getting angry, feeling frustrated, or worrying about their finances were more likely to postpone their fertility intentions. The main findings were robust in the sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS Most women who changed fertility intentions because of the pandemic have postponed intentions to expand their families. The pandemic-induced exposures were associated with these postponements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhao
- Department of Infectious Disease, Xi'an Jiaotong University Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
- School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
- International Center for Reproductive Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | | | - Huijun Liu
- School of Public Policy and Administration, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Kaiyan Pei
- Social Medicine Center, National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Olena Ivanova
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research, Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Elin C Larsson
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Simukai Shamu
- Foundation for Professional Development, Health Systems Strengthening, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Eneyi Kpokiri
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Amanda Cleeve
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Joseph D Tucker
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kristien Michielsen
- International Center for Reproductive Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wei-Hong Zhang
- International Center for Reproductive Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- School of Public Health, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
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Uhlich M, Peterson ZD, Li Y, Brown A, Han J, McBride JAD. Different Components of Sexual Narcissism Are Differentially Associated With Specific Sexual Aggression Strategies: An Exploratory Study Among Male and Female College Students. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SEXUAL HEALTH : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE WORLD ASSOCIATION FOR SEXUAL HEALTH 2024; 36:111-125. [PMID: 38596809 PMCID: PMC10903577 DOI: 10.1080/19317611.2024.2311142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Objectives This study investigated whether components of sexual narcissism are associated with different types of sexual aggression (e.g., verbal pressure or force) among students because this is a prevalent problem on college campuses. Methods College students (N = 508) were recruited for a cross-sectional online study. Results Results showed that components of sexual narcissism were related to different strategies of sexual aggression, with sexual entitlement being associated with not providing the victim an opportunity to object and exploiting intoxication. Gender moderated some of the associations, with women showing a stronger relationship than men. Conclusions These findings suggest that sexual narcissism represents a risk factor for sexual aggression in men and women and highlight the need for gender-inclusive and tailored interventions to prevent sexual aggression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zoë D. Peterson
- Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
- Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Yi Li
- Department of Counseling, School, and Educational Psychology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Andrew Brown
- Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Jin Han
- Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
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Nimbi FM, Cavagnis S, Eleuteri S. Changes in Sexual Behavior and Satisfaction and Violent Behavior during COVID-19 Lockdown: Explorative Results from the Italian Cross-Sectional Study of the I-SHARE Multi-Country Project. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:96. [PMID: 38248559 PMCID: PMC10815040 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21010096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has had effects on sexual and reproductive health and intimate partner violence (IPV). This study aims to describe changes in sexual health and IPV in the Italian population both during and after the lockdowns. METHODS This cross-sectional online study was conducted, as part of the I-SHARE multicountry project, between June 2020 and January 2021. Recruitment was carried out through convenience sampling; a total of 329 participants were included in the analysis. A generalized linear model was used to analyze the difference in sexual health and IPV variables before, during, and after the lockdown. RESULTS Fifty-three percent of the participants reported having sexual problems during the first wave of the pandemic. Sexual satisfaction decreased during the first wave, and then, returned to the pre-lockdown level. While during the lockdown, some activities were reduced (such as kissing, cuddling, and sexual activities with a steady partner), for other activities, no difference was reported (such as masturbation, sexual activities with casual partners, or sexting). Few participants reported having issues accessing HIV testing and contraception. There was no difference in terms of physical and sexual violence, while there was a significant decrease in feeling vulnerable to sexual or physical assault during the first wave. CONCLUSIONS The first wave of the pandemic has had significant effects on sexual health. This should be taken into consideration when preparing for future epidemics and health emergencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Maria Nimbi
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Sara Cavagnis
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefano Eleuteri
- Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy;
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Qi J, Sun M, Yue X, Hong X, Dong M, Tan J. The impact of COVID-19 on the mental and sexual health of patients with infertility: a prospective before-and-after study. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2024; 22:1. [PMID: 38167101 PMCID: PMC10759678 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-023-01174-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has seriously impacted the mental and sexual health of the general population. Patients dealing with infertility constitute a unique subset within society, susceptible to heightened sensitivity amid pressures and crises. However, to the best of our knowledge, the impact of the different stages of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental and sexual health of patients with infertility has not been investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the mental and sexual health of patients with infertility during different stages of the COVID-19 pandemic (during the lockdown, when controls were fully liberalized, and during the post-pandemic era). METHODS This prospective before-and-after study was conducted between April and May 2022 (during the lockdown), December and January 2023 (when controls were fully liberalized), and May and August 2023 (during the post-pandemic era). This study explored the sexual and mental health of women with infertility during the three stages of the COVID-19 pandemic using standardized mental health and sexual function questionnaires. The Chi-square test was used to compare categorical data, and the ANOVA test was used to compare numerical data. RESULTS Patients had the highest 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) scores and the highest rates of anxiety and depression during the immediate full-release phase. During the complete liberalization phase, patients had the lowest Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) scores and the highest incidence of sexual dysfunction. CONCLUSION This study is the first one to report the repercussions of COVID-19 on the mental and sexual well-being of individuals experiencing infertility across various phases of the pandemic. Upon the complete lifting of control measures, close to 99% of participants exhibited varying degrees of anxiety and depression. Our research underscores that individuals with infertility faced elevated levels of anxiety, depression, and sexual dysfunction during the phase of full liberalization of COVID-19 control measures, in stark contrast to the periods of lockdown and the post-pandemic era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Qi
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No. 39 Huaxiang Street, Shenyang, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Advanced Reproductive Medicine and Fertility (China Medical University), National Health Commission, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Diseases and Fertility Remodelling of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
| | - Meng Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Advanced Reproductive Medicine and Fertility (China Medical University), National Health Commission, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Diseases and Fertility Remodelling of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
| | - Xingchen Yue
- Northeast Yucai Foreign Language School, Shenyang, China
| | - Xintong Hong
- Northeast Yucai Foreign Language School, Shenyang, China
| | - Meng Dong
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No. 39 Huaxiang Street, Shenyang, China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Advanced Reproductive Medicine and Fertility (China Medical University), National Health Commission, Shenyang, China.
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Diseases and Fertility Remodelling of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China.
| | - Jichun Tan
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No. 39 Huaxiang Street, Shenyang, China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Advanced Reproductive Medicine and Fertility (China Medical University), National Health Commission, Shenyang, China.
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Diseases and Fertility Remodelling of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China.
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Brault MA, Linnander EL, Ginindza TM, Mabuza K, Christie S, Canavan ME, Jones A, Desai MM. Assessing changes in adolescent girls' and young women's sexual and reproductive health service utilisation following a COVID-19 lockdown in eSwatini. Glob Health Action 2023; 16:2243760. [PMID: 37565704 PMCID: PMC10424588 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2023.2243760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The effects of COVID-19-associated restrictions on youth sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care during the pandemic remain unclear, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. This study uses interrupted time series analyses to assess changes in SRH care utilisation (including visits for HIV testing and treatment, family planning, and antenatal care) adolescent girls' and young women's (AGYW; aged 15-24 years old) in eSwatini following COVID-19 lockdown beginning in March 2020. SRH utilisation data from 32 clinics in the Manzini region that remained open throughout the 2020 COVID-19 period were extracted from eSwatini's electronic health record system. We tabulated and graphed monthly visits (both overall and by visit type) by AGYW during the two-year period between January 2019 and December 2020. Despite the March to September 2020 lockdown, we did not detect significant changes in monthly visit trends from 2019 to 2020. Our findings suggest little change to AGYW's SRH utilisation in eSwatini during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie A. Brault
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Erika L. Linnander
- Global Health Leadership Initiative, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Health Policy & Management, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Thokozani M. Ginindza
- Health Management Information Systems (HMIS), eSwatini Ministry of Health, Mbabane, eSwatini
| | | | - Sarah Christie
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, Republic of South Africa
| | - Maureen E. Canavan
- Yale School of Medicine, Yale Cancer Outcomes, Public Policy and Effectiveness Research (COPPER) Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Anastasia Jones
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics & Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Mayur M. Desai
- Global Health Leadership Initiative, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
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Campbell L, Tan RKJ, Uhlich M, Francis JM, Mark K, Miall N, Eleuteri S, Gabster A, Shamu S, Plášilová L, Kemigisha E, Olumide A, Kosana P, Hurtado-Murillo F, Larsson EC, Cleeve A, Calvo González S, Perrotta G, Fernández Albamonte V, Blanco L, Schröder J, Adebayo A, Hendriks J, Saltis H, Marks M, Wu D, Morroni C, Esho T, Briken P, Hlatshwako TG, Ryan R, Farid NDN, Gomez Bravo R, Van de Velde S, Tucker JD. Intimate Partner Violence During COVID-19 Restrictions: A Study of 30 Countries From the I-SHARE Consortium. JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 2023; 38:7115-7142. [PMID: 36703528 PMCID: PMC9895276 DOI: 10.1177/08862605221141865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Intimate partner violence (IPV) causes substantial physical and psychological trauma. Restrictions introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including lockdowns and movement restrictions, may exacerbate IPV risk and reduce access to IPV support services. This cross-sectional study examines IPV during COVID-19 restrictions in 30 countries from the International Sexual HeAlth and REproductive Health (I-SHARE) study conducted from July 20th, 2020, to February, 15th, 2021. IPV was a primary outcome measure adapted from a World Health Organization multicountry survey. Mixed-effects modeling was used to determine IPV correlates among participants stratified by cohabitation status. The sample included 23,067 participants from 30 countries. A total of 1,070/15,336 (7.0%) participants stated that they experienced IPV during COVID-19 restrictions. A total of 1,486/15,336 (9.2%) participants stated that they had experienced either physical or sexual partner violence before the restrictions, which then decreased to 1,070 (7.0%) after the restrictions. In general, identifying as a sexual minority and experiencing greater economic vulnerability were associated with higher odds of experiencing IPV during COVID-19 restrictions, which were accentuated among participants who were living with their partners. Greater stringency of COVID-19 restrictions and living in urban or semi-urban areas were associated with lower odds of experiencing IPV in some settings. The I-SHARE data suggest a substantial burden of IPV during COVID-19 restrictions. However, the restrictions were correlated with reduced IPV in some settings. There is a need for investing in specific support systems for survivors of IPV during the implementation of restrictions designed to contain infectious disease outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Campbell
- Center for Population, Family, and
Health, University of Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Public Health and Primary
Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Ghent, Belgium
| | - Rayner K. J. Tan
- Dermatology Hospital of Southern
Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- University of North Carolina Project,
Guangzhou, China
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health,
National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Joel M. Francis
- Department of Family Medicine and
Primary Care, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Witwatersrand,
Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Kristen Mark
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Health,
University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Naomi Miall
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty
of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine,
London, UK
| | - Stefano Eleuteri
- Faculty of Medicine and Psychology,
Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Amanda Gabster
- Department of Genomics and
Proteomics, Gorgas Memorial Institute for Health Studies, Panama City, Panama
- National Research System, National
Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation, Panama City, Panama
- Center of Population Sciences for
Health Equity, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Simukai Shamu
- Health Systems Strengthening
Division, Foundation for Professional Development, Pretoria, South Africa
- School of Public Health, Faculty of
Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Leona Plášilová
- Department of Psychology and Life
Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Sexology
and Psychopathology, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech
Republic
| | | | - Adesola Olumide
- Institute of Child Health, College of
Medicine, University of Ibadan and University College Hospital, Ibadan,
Nigeria
| | - Priya Kosana
- Institute of Global Health and
Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC,
USA
| | - Felipe Hurtado-Murillo
- Center for Sexual and Reproductive
Health, University Hospital Doctor Peset, Valencia, Spain
| | - Elin C. Larsson
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of
Global Health and Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Stockholm,
Sweden
| | - Amanda Cleeve
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of
Global Health and Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Stockholm,
Sweden
- South General Hospital, Stockholm,
Sweden
| | | | - Gabriela Perrotta
- Faculty of Psychology, University of
Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Lucía Blanco
- Faculty of Psychology, University of
Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Johanna Schröder
- Institute for Sex Research, Sexual
Medicine and Forensic Psychiatry, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf,
Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Jacqueline Hendriks
- Collaboration for Evidence, Research
and Impact in Public Health, School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth,
Australia
| | - Hanna Saltis
- Collaboration for Evidence, Research
and Impact in Public Health, School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth,
Australia
| | - Michael Marks
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty
of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine,
London, UK
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases,
University College London Hospital, London, UK
- Division of Infection and Immunity,
University College London, London, UK
| | - Dan Wu
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty
of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine,
London, UK
| | - Chelsea Morroni
- Centre for Reproductive Health,
University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Botswana Sexual and Reproductive
Health Initiative, Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone,
Botswana
| | | | - Peer Briken
- Institute for Sex Research, Sexual
Medicine and Forensic Psychiatry, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf,
Hamburg, Germany
| | - Takhona Grace Hlatshwako
- Institute of Global Health and
Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC,
USA
| | - Rebecca Ryan
- Botswana Sexual and Reproductive
Health Initiative, Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone,
Botswana
| | - Nik Daliana Nik Farid
- Department of Social and Preventive
Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Raquel Gomez Bravo
- Institute for Health and Behaviour,
Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences, University of Luxembourg,
Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Sarah Van de Velde
- Center for Population, Family, and
Health, University of Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Joseph D Tucker
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty
of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine,
London, UK
- Institute of Global Health and
Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC,
USA
- Joseph D. Tucker, Institute of Global
Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill,
Bioinformatics, 130 Mason Farm Road, 2nd Floor, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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Sexual and reproductive health during COVID-19 - the I-SHARE multi-country survey. Nat Rev Urol 2022; 19:325-326. [PMID: 35538153 PMCID: PMC9087160 DOI: 10.1038/s41585-022-00603-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Izdebski Z, Słowikowska-Hilczer J, Mazur J. The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Assessment of Sexual Life-Repeated Cross-Sectional Surveys among Polish Adults in 2017, 2020 and 2021. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19074110. [PMID: 35409792 PMCID: PMC8998642 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19074110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The study aims to investigate whether assessment of sexual life remained stable during the COVID-19 pandemic. Two surveys were conducted among Polish adults aged 18–70 years in June 2020 (n = 2042; perspective of last 2–3 months) and in June 2021 (n = 2418; last 12 months). Data from 2017 (n = 1980) were used as a reference point. Four questions allowed for defining five sexual life assessment profiles (k-means cluster analysis). Their characteristics were presented using 12 variables and 16 factors that contributed to difficulties in sexual life. The 2020 survey showed a temporary increase in the importance of sexual life and the frequency of sexual intercourse. However, the percentage of respondents representing the most favorable profile decreased significantly over the consecutive survey periods (47.1%, 34.2%, and 32.3%, respectively). Pandemic-induced fatigue and stress as well as the permanent presence of others at home were reported as two main factors negatively affecting the frequency of sexual intercourse during the pandemic. Respondents who assessed their sexual life as poor were more likely to consider illness, depression, and low self-esteem as factors negatively impacting their sexual life in 2021 than a year earlier. The results confirmed that as the pandemic drew on, the assessment of sexual life changed compared to the time around the first lockdown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zbigniew Izdebski
- Department of Biomedical Aspects of Development and Sexology, Faculty of Education, Warsaw University, 00-561 Warsaw, Poland
- Department of Humanization in Medicine and Sexology, Collegium Medicum, University of Zielona Gora, 65-729 Zielona Gora, Poland
| | | | - Joanna Mazur
- Department of Humanization in Medicine and Sexology, Collegium Medicum, University of Zielona Gora, 65-729 Zielona Gora, Poland
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