[An analytic study on influencing factors for sexual satisfaction in women who have had a hysterectomy]

This research was done to clarify the factors related to sexual satisfaction in women who have had a hysterectomy, and to identify which factors had statistically significant influence of sexual satisfaction of the subjects. The objective of this study was to identify the variables related to sexual adaptation which might be changed by nursing intervention. This was a cross-sectional descriptive correlation study. There were 230 subjects in the study, and they were selected by a convenient sampling method. The tool for this study was developed by the researcher through modification of the Dergatis Sexual Function Inventory (DSFI). A pilot study was done to determine the necessary modifications. Data collection was done between Sept. 1987 and Dec. 1987 using a mailed questionnaire. The characteristics of the subjects were as follows: The mean age of the subjects was 42.3 years and 204 (87.4%) of the subjects had nine or more years of education. The mean income of the subjects was 85.8870 won/month, and 179 (77%) of them were housewives. The mean number of pregnancies and children were 4.9 and 2.5 respectively. Oophorectomies were included in the surgery for 66 (28.7%) of the subjects. Only 12 (5.2%) were planning to have more children. Only 88 (38.3%) of the subjects had received information prior to the surgery regarding health problems related to the operation and less than half, 111 (48.3%), had received this kind of information before discharge. Lay persons were the source of information about the post-operation status for 196 (85.2%) of the subjects, but the content of the information did not significantly influence the sexual satisfaction score. Only 16 (7.0%) of the subjects said they regretted having a hysterectomy while 102 (44.3%) said they were pleased to have had a hysterectomy. Ninety (39.1%) of the subjects reported that their husbands had "stress" and 164 (71.3%) of the subjects reported "stress". The results of this study are summarized as follows: 1. The mean score for sexual satisfaction of the subjects was 34.24 with a possible maximum score of 50.00. Eighty two (35.8%) were responded that they were satisfied with their sexual life but 61 (26.5%) were responded that they were dissatisfied with their sexual life.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)