title: Risk factors as predictors of sexual activity in heart failure.
abstract: Patients with heart failure (HF) often have concerns about sexual activity while living with HF. Little is known about factors that contribute to sexual activity and sexual dysfunction in HF. This study examined selected risk factors and demographic variables as predictors of sexual activity in HF patients. The sample (N = 97) was mostly male and white and had some college education. Four risk factors, tobacco use, alcohol use, having diabetes, and number of medications, were statistically significant in showing decreased odds of being sexually active, when controlling for age, sex, education, and body mass index. Nonexercisers and hypertension were not significant predictors of sexual activity. Among cardiac medication classes, there were no statistically significant differences between those HF patients who were and were not sexually active. Health professionals need to be mindful of these predictive factors as they provide sexual counseling to patients with HF.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas 67260-0041, USA. elaine.steinke@wichita.edu
authors.forename: Elaine E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Steinke
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mosack
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: Misook L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Debra K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Moser
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires