Sexual function in women in rural Tamil Nadu: disease, dysfunction, distress and norms.
BACKGROUND
We examined the nature, prevalence and explanatory models of sexual concerns and dysfunction among women in rural Tamil Nadu.


METHODS
Married women between 18 and 65 years of age, from randomly selected villages in Kaniyambadi block, Vellore district, Tamil Nadu, were chosen by stratified sampling technique. Sexual functioning was assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). The modified Short Explanatory Model Interview (SEMI) was used to assess beliefs about sexual concerns and the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) was used to screen for common mental disorders. Sociodemographic variables and other risk factors were also assessed.


RESULTS
Most of the women (277; 98.2%) contacted agreed to participate in the study. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction, based on the cut-off score on the FSFI, was 64.3%. However, only a minority of women considered it a problem (4.7%), expressed dissatisfaction (5.8%) or sought medical help (2.5%). The most common explanatory models offered for sexual problems included an unhappy marriage,stress and physical problems. Factors associated with lower FSFI included older age, illiteracy, as well as medical illness and sexual and marital factors such as menopause, poor quality of marital relationship, history of physical abuse and lack of privacy.


CONCLUSIONS
The diagnosis of female sexual dysfunction needs to be nuanced and based on the broader personal and social context. Our findings argue that there is a need to use models that employ personal, local and contextual standards in assessing complex behaviours such as sexual function.
Christian Medical College, Vellore 632002, Tamil Nadu, India - Department of Psychiatry.
Shonima
S
Viswanathan
Christian Medical College, Vellore 632002, Tamil Nadu, India - Department of Community Health.
Jasmine
J
Prasad
Christian Medical College, Vellore 632002, Tamil Nadu, India - Department of Psychiatry.
K S
KS
Jacob
Christian Medical College, Vellore 632002, Tamil Nadu, India - Department of Psychiatry.
Anju
A
Kuruvilla
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000453:epidemiology*; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology*