Socioeconomic Variables Effecting Female Sexual Function in an Urban, Community Setting

Introduction: Female sexual dysfunction is a common problem affecting 12% - 63% of the population, and its relationship with demographic factors, depression, and urinary incontinence needs to be more clearly identified. Aims: To determine demographic and clinical conditions associated with female sexual dysfunction in an urban population of women seeking routine gynecologic care. Methods: A cross-sectional, IRB approved study with a convenience sample was performed of 238 sexually-active, non-pregnant women reporting to two urban gynecology clinics: a private practice (n = 168) and a publicly funded ambulatory clinic (n = 70). Main Outcome Measures: The participants completed informed consent and a demographic questionnaire, plus validated questionnaires that measured sexual function with the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), depression with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and urinary incontinence with the Questionnaire for Urinary Incontinence Diagnosis (QUID). Results: The mean FSFI score for those with public insurance and private insurance was 29.5 ± 4.2 and 27.8 ± 5.1 (OR 0.746, p = 0.0005, 95% CI 0.633, 0.881) respectively. In comparing “private” and “public” patient groups, age, weight, race, education, employment, exercise, household income, smoking, alcohol frequency, and sex frequency were all significantly different (p