Knowledge, practices and barriers to access sexual health of women in the menopausal stages: a cross-sectional study with Brazilian gynecologists
Abstract Background Sexual health access and care for women in the menopausal stages face significant barriers, presenting deficits in relation to diagnosis and treatment. Although epidemiological data indicate high prevalence of problems related to sexual health in this population, traditionally, t...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Women's Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-024-02901-x |
| _version_ | 1797349708313657344 |
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| author | Amanda Oliveira de Carvalho Lucas Barrozo de Andrade Flávia Fairbanks L. O. Ruano Cristina Maria Duarte Wigg Lizanka Paola Figueiredo Marinheiro |
| author_facet | Amanda Oliveira de Carvalho Lucas Barrozo de Andrade Flávia Fairbanks L. O. Ruano Cristina Maria Duarte Wigg Lizanka Paola Figueiredo Marinheiro |
| author_sort | Amanda Oliveira de Carvalho |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Sexual health access and care for women in the menopausal stages face significant barriers, presenting deficits in relation to diagnosis and treatment. Although epidemiological data indicate high prevalence of problems related to sexual health in this population, traditionally, the theme is not discussed in health care settings. This study aimed to analyze knowledge, practices and barriers to access sexual health of women in the menopausal stages in the context of women’s health care in Brazil. Methods With a cross-sectional design, a questionnaire was distributed electronically, encompassing variables related to knowledge; practices; and barriers to access sexual health of women in the menopausal stages. The data obtained were subjected to analysis using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Specifically, we employed multivariate analysis, employing multiple linear regression models, to discern potential factors associated with outcomes concerning the level of knowledge and the frequency of addressing the topic in professional practice. Results The sample included 70 physicians with specialization in obstetrician/gynecologists who work in health care with women in the menopausal transition or postmenopausal women. A high level of self-reported knowledge about sexual health was identified. Regarding the practices, most of them reported directly proposing the subject and not using instruments. Although they reported frequently addressing the topic in general, topics related to vaginal lubrication, dyspareunia, and sexual dysfunction have been more present in the clinic compared to sexual orientation and women’s relationship with themselves. The main barriers were time limitation and patient discomfort with the topic. The multivariate models indicated that female gynecologists and professionals with higher levels of knowledge on the subject had a higher frequency of addressing sexual health in clinical practice with women in menopausal stages. Conclusions Sexual health access and care for brazilian women in the menopausal stages presents discrepancies in the frequency of approach between the various topics, in addition to the predictive character of technical knowledge in the practices of professionals. To ensure universal access to sexual health services for this population, an active approach through specific instruments is important, as well as the reinforcement of strategies to improve the level of knowledge of professionals. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T12:34:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4b06cc5ca6f54c07af897349dfc2e695 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6874 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T12:34:17Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Women's Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-4b06cc5ca6f54c07af897349dfc2e6952024-01-21T12:33:31ZengBMCBMC Women's Health1472-68742024-01-0124111210.1186/s12905-024-02901-xKnowledge, practices and barriers to access sexual health of women in the menopausal stages: a cross-sectional study with Brazilian gynecologistsAmanda Oliveira de Carvalho0Lucas Barrozo de Andrade1Flávia Fairbanks L. O. Ruano2Cristina Maria Duarte Wigg3Lizanka Paola Figueiredo Marinheiro4Instituto Nacional de Saúde da Mulher, da Criança e do Adolescente Fernandes Figueira - Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IFF/Fiocruz)Universidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroUniversidade de São PauloUniversidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroInstituto Nacional de Saúde da Mulher, da Criança e do Adolescente Fernandes Figueira - Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (IFF/Fiocruz)Abstract Background Sexual health access and care for women in the menopausal stages face significant barriers, presenting deficits in relation to diagnosis and treatment. Although epidemiological data indicate high prevalence of problems related to sexual health in this population, traditionally, the theme is not discussed in health care settings. This study aimed to analyze knowledge, practices and barriers to access sexual health of women in the menopausal stages in the context of women’s health care in Brazil. Methods With a cross-sectional design, a questionnaire was distributed electronically, encompassing variables related to knowledge; practices; and barriers to access sexual health of women in the menopausal stages. The data obtained were subjected to analysis using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Specifically, we employed multivariate analysis, employing multiple linear regression models, to discern potential factors associated with outcomes concerning the level of knowledge and the frequency of addressing the topic in professional practice. Results The sample included 70 physicians with specialization in obstetrician/gynecologists who work in health care with women in the menopausal transition or postmenopausal women. A high level of self-reported knowledge about sexual health was identified. Regarding the practices, most of them reported directly proposing the subject and not using instruments. Although they reported frequently addressing the topic in general, topics related to vaginal lubrication, dyspareunia, and sexual dysfunction have been more present in the clinic compared to sexual orientation and women’s relationship with themselves. The main barriers were time limitation and patient discomfort with the topic. The multivariate models indicated that female gynecologists and professionals with higher levels of knowledge on the subject had a higher frequency of addressing sexual health in clinical practice with women in menopausal stages. Conclusions Sexual health access and care for brazilian women in the menopausal stages presents discrepancies in the frequency of approach between the various topics, in addition to the predictive character of technical knowledge in the practices of professionals. To ensure universal access to sexual health services for this population, an active approach through specific instruments is important, as well as the reinforcement of strategies to improve the level of knowledge of professionals.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-024-02901-xSexual healthMenopauseGynecologyHealth knowledgeAttitudesPractice |
| spellingShingle | Amanda Oliveira de Carvalho Lucas Barrozo de Andrade Flávia Fairbanks L. O. Ruano Cristina Maria Duarte Wigg Lizanka Paola Figueiredo Marinheiro Knowledge, practices and barriers to access sexual health of women in the menopausal stages: a cross-sectional study with Brazilian gynecologists BMC Women's Health Sexual health Menopause Gynecology Health knowledge Attitudes Practice |
| title | Knowledge, practices and barriers to access sexual health of women in the menopausal stages: a cross-sectional study with Brazilian gynecologists |
| title_full | Knowledge, practices and barriers to access sexual health of women in the menopausal stages: a cross-sectional study with Brazilian gynecologists |
| title_fullStr | Knowledge, practices and barriers to access sexual health of women in the menopausal stages: a cross-sectional study with Brazilian gynecologists |
| title_full_unstemmed | Knowledge, practices and barriers to access sexual health of women in the menopausal stages: a cross-sectional study with Brazilian gynecologists |
| title_short | Knowledge, practices and barriers to access sexual health of women in the menopausal stages: a cross-sectional study with Brazilian gynecologists |
| title_sort | knowledge practices and barriers to access sexual health of women in the menopausal stages a cross sectional study with brazilian gynecologists |
| topic | Sexual health Menopause Gynecology Health knowledge Attitudes Practice |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-024-02901-x |
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