The Association Between Health-Related Quality of Life and Sexual Knowledge and Attitude Among Women at Childbearing and Menopausal Age

Background and purpose: Considering increased prevalence of psychological disorders in community, increasing number of family disturbances and also increased incidence of sexual and infectious diseases, it appears imperative to examine the correlates of sexual function disorder since it is the main risk factor of above-mentioned issues. The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the association between health-related quality of life and sexual knowledge and attitude among women at childbearing and menopausal age.Methods and materials: This descriptive-analytical study was carried out among 210 women at childbearing and menopausal age attending Tehran Healthcare Centers in 2018. Data collection was done using health-related quality of life questionnaire (SF-36) and sexual knowledge and attitudes scale (SKAS). Data analysis was carried out by use of SPSS software and statistical tests including Pearson and Spearman correlation, independent t-test and analysis of variance.Results: The mean score of sexual attitudes among women at menopause age was higher than women at childbearing age (p<0.05). But the mean score of sexual knowledge and attitudes scale was higher among women at menopause age (p<0.05). A direct association was observed among the mean score of physical aspect of health-related quality of life and sexual knowledge in women experiencing menopause (p<0.05). there was a significant association between the mean score of physical and spiritual aspects of life quality and sexual attitudes among women at childbearing age (p<0.05).Conclusion: Menopause can be an effective factor in occurrence, sustainability or enhancement of sexual disorders. Therefore, it is necessary that the role of professionals involved in education and consultation regarding factors associated with sexual function disorder in women is more emphasized.

کلیدواژه ها:

health-related quality of life ، sexual knowledge ، sexual attitude ، women at childbearing ، menopausal age