Sexual satisfaction and sexual behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic: results from the International Sexual Health And REproductive (I-SHARE) health survey in Luxembourg.
Fischer, Vinicius Jobim; Bravo, Raquel Gómez; Brunnet, Alice Einloftet al.
Covid-19; I-SHARE; Luxembourg; Sexual behaviors; Sexual satisfaction; Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Surveys; Humans; Luxembourg/epidemiology; Male; Orgasm; Pandemics; Reproductive Health; Retrospective Studies; Sexual Behavior; COVID-19/epidemiology; Sexual Health; Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Abstract :
[en] [en] AIM: To identify the impact of COVID-19 measures on sexual behaviors and sexual satisfaction in Luxembourg residents.
METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey of adults (> 18 years of age) residing in Luxembourg, while COVID-19 restrictions were in place. The survey was available from January 15 to February 12, 2021 in four languages (French, German, English and Portuguese). Survey questions focused on masturbation, cuddling, condom use, sex frequency, sexting, cybersex, watching porn, and sexual satisfaction.
RESULTS: 557 volunteers completed the survey (35.5% men, 64.3% women). Sexual satisfaction and sexual problems variables were assessed on 4-point Likert scales (0 = not at all/never to 3 = very/often). Sexual problems increased during the COVID-19 measures while sexual satisfaction decreased compared to before the introduction of COVID-19 restrictions (assessed retrospectively). Factors associated with increased odds of sexual satisfaction included having a steady relationship before COVID-19 restrictions, engaging in sexting, reporting good mental health and not altering alcohol intake.
CONCLUSIONS: The context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures implemented in Luxembourg affected sexual behaviors and sexual satisfaction. Sexual and reproductive health care centers and health professionals in general should take these results into consideration when providing care. Recommendations on the importance of sexual health for general wellbeing and behaviors associated with sexual satisfaction should be offered and possibilities to experience sexuality while reducing contamination risks be discussed.
Disciplines :
Social & behavioral sciences, psychology: Multidisciplinary, general & others
Author, co-author :
Fischer, Vinicius Jobim ✱; Research Group Self-Regulation and Health, Institute for Health and Behaviour, Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg. viniciusjfischer@gmail.com
Bravo, Raquel Gómez; Research Group Self-Regulation and Health, Institute for Health and Behaviour, Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
Brunnet, Alice Einloft; Laboratoire Clinique Psychanalyse Développement (CLIPSYD - EA4430), University of Paris Nanterre, Paris, France
Michielsen, Kristien; International Centre for Reproductive Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
Tucker, Joseph D; Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
Campbell, Linda; Centre for Population, Family and Health, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
VÖGELE, Claus ✱; University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences (FHSE) > Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences (DBCS) > Health and Behaviour
✱ These authors have contributed equally to this work.
External co-authors :
yes
Language :
English
Title :
Sexual satisfaction and sexual behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic: results from the International Sexual Health And REproductive (I-SHARE) health survey in Luxembourg.
This study was carried out in the context of the I-SHARE study (International Sexual Health And REproductive Health), which examines the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on sexual and reproductive health in diverse low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries. The full list of consortium members and their roles can be found here (https://ishare.web.unc.edu/).
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