Conhecimento, atitude e pratica relacionados a sexualidade de mulheres tratadas de cancer genital

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2005

RESUMO

Objectives - To study some aspects of the sexuality and to evaluate their sociodemographic profile of women treated for genital cancer, and to compare these women with a group of women who did not have cancer. Subjects and methods - A cross-sectional, comparative, ?knowledge, attitude and practice? (KAP) study was carried out between July 2002 and March 2004. A total of 260 women were interviewed, 130 previously treated for gynecological cancer and 130 with no previous history of cancer. Women were paired by age and place of residence. A structured questionnaire was designed for this study, containing pre-coded and open questions, and responses were stored in a data bank using the EPI-INFO software, version 6.04b. Contingency tables with absolute frequencies and relative frequencies were constructed for the analysis of this study. The association between variables was evaluated using Pearson?s chi-square test or Fisher?s exact test. For the analysis of knowledge and attitude, indicators were created using arithmetical means of the correct answers, and values were compared in the dependent variable using Mann-Whitney?s test. Statistically significant differences in correct answers to each question studied were analyzed using Fisher?s exact test. Results - The mean age of the women was 56.6 years, the majority of women stated that they were white, that they belonged to the Catholic religion, that they had no paid employment. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups with respect to marital status, total number of partners, age at first delivery and the proportion of women with an active sexual life. Approximately half the women in each group declared that they had an active sexual life at the time of the interview, with a frequency of sexual intercourse of once or twice a week. The women who had a history of gynecological cancer were more knowledgeable about sexual matters related to cancer, while those with no previous history of cancer were more knowledgeable about sexuality in general. Attitude was also shown to be reasonably adequate in the two groups and statistical analysis found no statistically significant difference between the groups. The comparison of the dependent variables (sexual interest, vaginal lubrication, dyspareunia, bleeding during intercourse and orgasm) showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The women treated with cancer reported a reduction in interest and in sexual frequency and a greater perception of the dryness, narrowing and shortening of the vagina following treatment of their disease. Male and female sexual dysfunction and the fears related to the diagnosis of cancer and the sequelae of treatment were the most frequent causes for the termination of relationships. Conclusion - Knowledge of sexual practice was considered moderate and the attitude adequate in the majority of the items studied, in both groups of women and there was no statistically significant difference between groups

ASSUNTO(S)

aparelho genital feminino - cancer comportamento sexual

ACESSO AO ARTIGO

Documentos Relacionados