Sexual dysfunction and health condition in Chinese doctor: prevalence and risk factors

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 10; no. 1; p. 15180
• Main Authors: Li, Weiran, Li, Shixing, Lu, Pengfei, Chen, Haibin, Zhang, Yunyu, Cao, Yu, Li, Guanjian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 16.09.2020; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 692/1537; 692/499; 692/699; 692/700; Adult; China - epidemiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Status; Humanities and Social Sciences; Humans; Male; Medical personnel; Middle Aged; multidisciplinary; Physicians - statistics & numerical data; Public health; Quality of Life; Risk Factors; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Sexual behavior; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological - epidemiology; Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological - epidemiology; Sexual health; Socioeconomic Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Working conditions; Young Adult; China
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72072-w

To our knowledge, little attention has been paid to the sexual function of health workers. The aim of the present study was to assess the frequency of sexual dysfunction among Chinese doctors. In addition, the risk factors for sexual dysfunction were analyzed. This was a questionnaire-based multicenter cross-sectional survey performed in five large academic medical centers in China. A total of 539 male doctors, 547 female doctors were evaluated. We analyzed doctors' demographic characteristics, quality of life, sexual function and attitudes towards sexual problems. Chinese doctors are at high risk of sexual dysfunction and poor health. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction appears to increase with age, and is associated with various social and demographic factors including monthly income, physical exercise, working hours, night shift and health-related quality. The quality of life and sexual health of doctors deserves special attention as a significant public health concern. Alleviating work pressure, increasing income, improving quality of life and therapeutic sexual problems should be considered comprehensively.