A Survy between Fear of COVID-19 Disease and Sexual Function of Iranian Married Men and Women Living in Qazvin: A Descriptive Study

Fear of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) may lead to sexual disinterest and frustration and affect sexual function. This study aimed to determine the relationship between fear of Covid-19 disease and the sexual function of married people.

In this descriptive study, 400 married residents of Qazvin participated in 2020. Data was collected as random multi-stage clusters. The study tools included the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) in Men and Female's Sexual Function Index (FSFI) in Women, and Coronavirus Fear Questionnaire (FDCS). Data were analyzed using independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Spearman’s correlation test.

There was a significant reverse relationship between the fear of coronavirus and the total score of female sexual function (r= -0.261, p= 0.007), but there was no significant relationship between the fear of coronavirus and the total score of male sexual function (r= -0.060, p= 0.812). The mean score of sexual function of men and women in people with a fear of having sex and employment in health centers was significantly lower, while in people that used sex flirting was significantly higher (p<0.05)

Fear of Covid-19 disease may harm the sexual function of married people, especially women, and reduce their quality of married life. Therefore, to prevent the destructive psychological effects of the epidemic, more attention and interventions are needed to improve sexual function.