Detecting decreased sexual health with MDHAQ-S

Kristina Areskoug-Josefsson, Charlotte Ekdahl, Ulf Jakobsson, Gunvor Gard

Center for Primary Health Care Research, CRC, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
Department of Health Sciences, Division of Physiotherapy, Lund University, Lund, Sweden;.

DOI: 10.4236/health.2013.56A2007                

Abstract

There are instruments that measure sexual function or sexual health for persons with RA, but since sexual health is a sensitive issue, the hypothesis is that it would be easier to have a standard questionnaire that could indicate the need for communication about sexual health issues instead of an extra questionnaire with more detailed questions on sexual health. The aim of the study is to find out whether sexual health difficulties can be screened by factors included in the MDHAQ-S for persons with RA. This study explores the relation between factors included in the MDHAQ-S and the Sexual Health Questionnaire (QSH) using a mixed methods design combining quantitative and qualitative data. The MDHAQ-S covers sexual health issues, not only by using the question on sexual health, but also on other factors included in the questionnaire such as increased pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety, physical capacity, level of physiccal activity and body weight. To explore decreased sexual arousal, decreased sexual satisfaction and decreased sexual well-being, in-depth interviews must be held with persons with RA, either using a sexual health questionnaire or in a clinical interview.

Keywords

Sexual Health; Rheumatoid Arthritis; Mixed Methods; Rehabilitation; Health Assessement

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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