title: Help-seeking behaviour for sexual problems: the global study of sexual attitudes and behaviors.
abstract: The Global Study of Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors (GSSAB) investigated various aspects of sex and relationships among 27,500 men and women aged 40-80 years. Here, we report help-seeking behaviours for sexual problems in this population. A questionnaire was administered using the accepted survey method in each country. Although almost half of all sexually active respondents had experienced at least one sexual problem, less than 19% of them (18.0% of men and 18.8% of women) had attempted to seek medical help for their problem(s). The most frequent action taken by men and women was to talk to their partner (39%). Only 9% of men and women had been asked about their sexual health by a doctor in a routine visit during the past 3 years. Although sexual problems are highly prevalent, few men and women seek medical help for these problems. Overall, men and women show similar help-seeking behaviours.
authors.affiliation: Gonçalo Moniz Research Center,Oswaldo Cruz Foundation and Diretoria Científica, Hospital São Rafael, Salvador, Brazil. edson@cpqgm.fiocruz.br
authors.forename: E D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brock
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Glasser
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nicolosi
authors.forename: E O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Laumann
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paik
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gingell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D012747:Sexual Partners