(089) Psychological Distress and Coping Mechanisms among Women with Sexual Dysfunction Using Hormonal Contraceptives at Kawempe Hospital - A Cross-sectional Study

Sexual dysfunction is very distressing to women of reproductive age. Hormonal contraceptives (HC) are often reported to be highly associated with sexual dysfunction. The occurrence of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) varies across African regions however, the literature is scanty. This study, therefore aimed to assess the psychological distress (PD) and coping mechanisms of women with sexual dysfunction using hormonal contraceptives at Kawempe Hospital (KH). To determine the prevalence of psychological distress among women with sexual dysfunction using hormonal contraceptives at Kawempe Hospital To examine the factors associated with psychological distress among women with sexual dysfunction using hormonal contraceptives at Kawempe Hospital To evaluate the coping mechanisms of women with sexual dysfunction using hormonal contraceptives at Kawempe Hospital The study was cross-sectional and conducted by a female team at the family planning clinic of KH. Participants were sexually active females aged 18 to 50 years, who had used HCs for at least six months, and had a positive FSD score below 26.55 on the female sexual function index. PD was assessed using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale K-6, with a score over 13 indicating PD. Coping mechanisms were determined using the SexFlex scale. The data was analyzed using proportions, means, chi-squares and logistic regression to determine characteristics associated with PD at a significance level of 0.05. Of the 401 individuals screened, 288 who had positive FSD scores were enrolled. The average age of the participants was 28.8 years, and 46.18% used implants for contraception. The prevalence of PD was 55.56%, with 28.47% using reflexive-only coping mechanisms, 24.35% using approach-only mechanisms, 13.19% using both, and 63.19% using neither. Being married (AOR=0.45) and breastfeeding (AOR=0.41) were negatively associated with PD, while using injectables (AOR=7.43), implants (AOR=5.17), levonorgestrel IUD (AOR=4.17), having relationship dissatisfaction (AOR=4.65), and sexual pain (AOR=2.60) were positively associated with PD. PD was prevalent among women with FSD using HCs at Kawempe Hospital and associated with modifiable characteristics. It is recommended that health workers regularly screen for PD among women with FSD using HCs and provide education on malleable characteristics, such as breastfeeding and relationship satisfaction. No.