title: Physical, psychological and sexual effects in multi-ethnic Malaysian women who have undergone hysterectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The postoperative effects on Asian women after hysterectomy have not been fully explored. This study was undertaken to investigate the physical, psychological and sexual functioning effects in multi-ethnic Malaysian women who have undergone hysterectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted on women who underwent hysterectomy at the Gynecological Outpatient Clinic, University of Malaya Medical Center between November 2008 and October 2009.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Postoperative physical and psychological effects were common. Participants with higher household income had a significantly lower number of physical and psychological problems. Young women were more likely to experience psychological effects. There were significant differences between ethnic groups in physical and psychological symptoms. A multivariate model to determine factors associated with sexual functioning identified the importance of sexual relationship, spouse or partner's attitudes, and ethnic groups as significant covariates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings underscore the importance of ethnic-based approaches to counseling to mitigate the psychological effects of hysterectomy and to focus on young women with low socioeconomic status.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Population Health (CePH), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. wonglp@ummc.edu.my
authors.forename: Li Ping
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Kulenthran
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Arumugam
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016015:Logistic Models; D008296:Malaysia; D008875:Middle Aged; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors