Female sexual dysfunction: What Arab gynecologists think and know

Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis: We aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of gynecologists (Gyns) from different Arab countries with regard to female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in comparison with members of the American Uro-gynecologic Society (AUGS) and the British Society of Urogynecology (BSUG). Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was used to survey attendees of the annual meeting of the Saudi Obstetrics and Gynecology Society. Results: Six hundred and forty questionnaires were distributed, and the response rate was 66%. The majority of Arab Gyns (73%) were unsatisfied with their training, and 87% never or rarely screened for FSD compared with 47% and 23% of BSUG and AUGS members, respectively (p<0.001). Conclusion: Our results reveal an apparent global lack of adequate education in female sexuality and expose the breadth of the problem among Arab Gyns. Therefore, there is a need to improve training at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels to enable Gyns in Arab countries to provide better sexual healthcare. © The International Urogynecologi cal Associ ation 2012.