The use of a self-report questionnaire to assess the frequency of sexual dysfunction in family practice clinics

Shahar E, Lederer J and HerzMJ. The use of a self-report questionnaire to assess the frequency of sexual dysfunction in family practice clinics. Family Practice 1991; 8: 206-212. The epidemiology of sexual dysfunction has been investigated recently in various clinical and nonclinical conditions but, to date, little research has been conducted in the family practice setting. The authors have developed a brief self-report questionnaire addressing most of the common sexual problems, and assessed its usefulness as a screening device in two distinctly different family practice clinics. The proposed questionnaire has gained over 90% response rate in each practice, indicating an appropriate level of acceptability. The sex- and practice-specific prevalence ranged from 31% to 63%, and was found to be significantly higher among male patients than among female patients. Overall dissatisfaction with the present sexual life of either the respondent or his partner (as indicated by the former) was expressed by nearly 20% of the respondents, the majority of whom reported on both self and partner's dissatisfaction. Relatively few patients of those who reported on a sexual problem had ever sought any professional help, but approximately 50% of men and 25% of women indicated that the family physician was their preferred expert for this purpose. It is concluded that sexual dysfunction is highly prevalent in the family practice setting but is nevertheless under-reported. Anonymous screening in one's practice, as presented in this study, will provide the family physician with valuable information, and may contribute to further direct discussions of these delicate concerns.