How Do Mexican Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Define Sexual and Reproductive Health? A Content Analysis Study

A patient-centered approach is essential for promoting sexual health (SH) and reproductive health (RH) in rheumatoid arthritis patients. The study aimed to describe and interpret Mexican rheumatoid arthritis outpatients' testimonies of their SH and RH definitions.

Qualitative and quantitative content analysis was conducted on free-text comments from 219 and 223 descriptions of patients' SH and RH definitions, respectively. A comprehensive system of major themes, categories, and subcategories was structured for each definition. The representational foundations of these categories and the context of their production were analyzed. Integration of quantitative and qualitative content analysis was used to comprehend patients' definitions of SH and RH. Internal review board approved the study.

Ten major themes emerged for each definition, and their assigned frequencies differed between SH and RH definitions, and between groups of patients integrated according to age, education level, and sex. Both definitions had similar contents, expressed in the shared major themes and categories, and in managing at the same time SH- and RH-related contents within each definition. The "overall prevention-patient oriented care" major theme defined a common core for both definitions' contents. Meanwhile, a diversity of meanings was also evident particularly at the subcategory level.

In our population, SH content was distinguished by related diseases and their consequences, individual actions directed to prevention, and couple mentions. Meanwhile, RH was distinguished by a primarily biological perspective of the reproductive function, which was required at a particular life stage to concrete a family project.