Sexual Behavior and Sexual Satisfaction according to Gender in Korean Patients with Cancer

Jung-Hee Kim; Hyun-Kyoung Kim

doi:10.4069/kjwhn.2014.20.2.137

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Kim and Kim: Sexual Behavior and Sexual Satisfaction according to Gender in Korean Patients with Cancer

Original Article

Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing 2014; 20(2): 137-147.

Published online: 30 June 2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4069/kjwhn.2014.20.2.137

Sexual Behavior and Sexual Satisfaction according to Gender in Korean Patients with Cancer

Jung-Hee Kim¹, Hyun-Kyoung Kim²

¹Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Dankook University, Cheonan, Korea.

²Department of Nursing, Doowon Technical University College, Anseong, Korea.

Corresponding author: Kim, Hyun-Kyoung. Department of Nursing, Doowon Technical University College, 51 Gwaneumdang-gil, Juksan-myeon, Anseong 456-718, Korea. Tel: +82-31-8056-7314, Fax: +82-31-8056-7269, leomommy@hanmail.net

Received 27 February 2014 Revised 17 March 2014 Accepted 20 March 2014

(open-access):

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Purpose

This study was done to investigate sexual behavior and sexual satisfaction according to gender difference in Korean patients with cancer.

Methods

In this study, a convenience sample of Korean patients with cancer who visited hospitals in J City was used. Data were collected between September and December 2012using structured questionnaires: Sexual frequency scale and General sexual satisfaction index (GSSI).

Results

Over half of the patients reported loss of sexual desire and changes in sexual behaviors. There was a significant decrease in sexual satisfaction among the male patients, compared to the female patients (t=2.34, p=.020). There were significant correlations between sexual satisfaction and sexual behaviors (male patients r=.45, p<.001; female patients r=.59, p<.001).

Conclusion

The results of this study demonstrate the need to take gender into account in developing interventions for patients with cancer. These results will also contribute to the development of improved interventions for sexual health care.

Keywords: Cancer, Gender, Patients, Satisfaction, Sexual behavior

Figures and Tables

Table 1

General and Disease related Characteristics among the Subjects (N=189)

^†Fisher's exact test.

Table 2

Sexual Changes after Treatment among the Subjects (N=189)

^†Fisher's exact test.

Table 3

Reasons for Changes in Sexual Behaviors (N=189)

Table 4

Gender Difference among the Variables related to Sexuality (N=189)

^†Adjusted=adjusted for age and occupation.

Table 5

Correlation between Sexual Satisfaction and Frequency (N=189)

Notes

This work was supported by a Korea Research Foundation Grant funded by the Korean Government(MOEHRD, Basic Research Promotion Fund)(2012R1A1B5000460).

Summary Statement

▪ What is already known about this topic?

Cancer and anti-cancer treatment can cause sexual changes physically, socially, psychologically, and spiritually. Patients with cancer experience a decrease in sexual behavior and sexual satisfaction.

▪ What this paper adds?

Gender differences were shown in sexual behavior and sexual satisfaction. Men with cancer had a significant decrease in sexual satisfaction post cancer treatment. There was a significant correlation with sexual satisfaction and sexual behavior for each gender.

▪ Implications for practice, education and/or policy

Sexual issues of patient with cancer are important aspects in the quality of oncological care. Nursing interventions for sexual health should include a differentiated program according to gender difference.

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