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Sexual activity and sexual satisfaction in Korean men with spinal cord injury
Y-A Choi1, J-H Kang1, H I Shin1
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Study Design:
A cross-sectional survey.
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to identify and assess the sexual activity and perceived sexual satisfaction of Korean males with spinal cord injury (SCI) and to identify factors influencing sexuality and satisfaction.
Setting:
Community residents with SCI.
Methods:
A total of 139 male participants with SCI in Korea were eligible for inclusion in this study. All participants completed a face-to-face interview regarding sexuality and satisfaction, as well as structured questionnaires including items on socioeconomic factors, medical conditions and rehabilitation services.
Results:
A total of 90 participants (65%) were engaged in sexual activity. A period of 21-25 years since SCI (compared with the initial 5 years since SCI) and an experience of direct sexual rehabilitation education were positively associated with sexual activity. Among 90 sexually active males with SCI, 8 (8.9%) and 56 (62.2%) were sexually satisfied and unsatisfied, respectively. Lower levels of education were strongly correlated with sexual dissatisfaction.
Conclusion:
Korean males with SCI showed low levels of satisfaction regarding sexual activities. Results showed that socioeconomic factors (e.g., state of employment and direct person-to-person sexual counseling services) had a greater impact on sexual activity than the degree of physical impairment. Notably, the educational background was the most influential factor on sexual satisfaction.
