HIV infection and women's sexual functioning.
OBJECTIVE
To compare sexual problems among HIV-positive and HIV-negative women and describe clinical and psychosocial factors associated with these problems.


METHODS
Data were collected during a study visit of the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS). The WIHS studies the natural and treated history of HIV among women in the United States.


METHODS
Between October 01, 2006, and March 30, 2007, 1805 women (1279 HIV positive and 526 HIV negative) completed a study visit that included administration of the Female Sexual Function Index. In addition, the visit included completion of standardized interviewer-administered surveys, physical and gynecological examinations, and blood sample collection.


RESULTS
Women with HIV reported greater sexual problems than did those without HIV. Women also reported lower sexual function if they were classified as menopausal, had symptoms indicative of depression, or if they reported not being in a relationship. CD4 cell count was associated with Female Sexual Function Index scores, such that those with CD4 <or=199 cells per microliter reported lower functioning as compared with those whose cell count was 200 or higher.


CONCLUSIONS
Given research documenting relationships between self-reported sexual problems and both clinical diagnoses of sexual dysfunction and women's quality of life, greater attention to this issue as a potential component of women's overall HIV care is warranted.
Wilson
Tracey E
TE
Department of Community Health Sciences, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA. tracey.wilson@downstate.edu
Jean-Louis
Girardin
G
Schwartz
Rebecca
R
Golub
Elizabeth T
ET
Cohen
Mardge H
MH
Maki
Pauline
P
Greenblatt
Ruth
R
Massad
L Stewart
LS
Robison
Esther
E
Goparaju
Lakshmi
L
Lindau
Stacy
S
D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009948:Orgasm; D011584:Psychology; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult