A Nurses’ Guide for Egyptian Women Regarding Female Sexual Function During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Abstract

Introduction: The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still affecting individuals all over the world. Restrictions resulting from lifestyle changes have been demonstrated to cause mental and sexual health issues. Objectives: This research was performed to assess the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on female sexual function in Egypt and also to assess the knowledge and information for those with sexual dysfunction before and after the administration of nursing guidelines. Methods: A quasi-experimental research design was carried out for women diagnosed with positive COVID-19 at Isolation Hospital in Heart and Chest Hospital-Zagazig University. The study comprised a purposive sample of 496 women who were active COVID-19 patients. A structured interviewing form and a female sexual function index would be utilized to collect data. The nursing guidelines were designed by the researcher and given to women with positive COVID-19 after assessment of their knowledge and information concerning sexual health during this pandemic. Results: According to the findings of this study, the incidence of normal sexual function and sexual dysfunction was 62.7% and 37.3%, respectively. Nearly half of the participating women (46.7%) were 25–34 years of age. 63.7% of them were residing in rural areas. Before guidelines administration: poor knowledge (23.5%), fair knowledge (68.4%), and good knowledge (8.1%); and after intervention: poor knowledge (0.0%), fair knowledge (29.4%), and good knowledge (70.6%) were recorded. Conclusion: Women with sexual dysfunction had statistically higher accurate information following the administration of nursing guidelines regarding sexual function.