Sexual Self-efficacy and Related Factors in Reproductive-aged Diabetic Women

Sexual self-efficacy as one of the major issues of sexual health is influenced by various individual and interpersonal factors in different socio-cultural contexts. The aim of this study was to investigate sexual self-efficacy and related factors in reproductive-aged diabetic women.

This cross-sectional study was conducted in 410 diabetic women attending endocrinology centers affiliated to Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, 2019-2020. The participants were selected by simple random sampling. Data were collected using Vaziri sexual self-efficacy questionnaire, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Scale, and Goldberg Big Five personality traits. Data were analyzed applying Independent t-test, ANOA, Pearson correlation coefficient, and Backward Stepwise Regression.

The mean score for sexual self-efficacy was 15.93±5.70 (95% CI: 15.37-16.48). Multiple linear regression showed that spousechr('39')s education (β= 1.27, P= 0.026), spousechr('39')s age (β= -0.09, P= 0.013), conscientiousness (β= 0.09, P= 0.014), occupation (β= -2.26, P= 0.022), satisfaction from socioeconomic class (β= 0.93, P= 0.024), sexual function (β= 0.23, P< 0.0001), marital satisfaction (β= 0.06, P< 0.0001), and taking antidepressants (β= -1.13, P= 0.051) explained 59% of the variance of sexual self-efficacy score.

Various sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors affect the sexual self-efficacy of diabetic women in reproductive age, so, it is necessary to use a multi-disciplinary approach in providing sexual health care services for these women.