ERECTILE/SEXUAL FUNCTION OF FRONTLINE AND NON-FRONTLINE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC: CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

FUNÇÃO ERÉTIL / SEXUAL DOS PROFISSIONAIS DE SAÚDE DA LINHA DE FRENTE E FORA DA LINHA DE FRENTE DURANTE A PANDEMIA DE COVID-19: ESTUDO TRANSVERSAL

Abstract

Abstract

Aim: To compare the sexual/erectile function between health professionals working or not on COVID-19 frontline efforts, considering the presence of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), frequency of sexual activity, sexual complaints and the fact of being in social isolation with the partner. Methods: Cross-sectional study which interviewed health professionals of both sexes, older than 18 years, through Google Forms, using the questionnaires: Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) and Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R, PTSD), with the investigation of sex life aspects during the pandemic. Spearman correlation, Shapiro-Wilk, Kruskall-Wallis, Chi-squared and Dwass-Steel-Critchlow-Fligner tests were performed using R software, 2020. Results: It was verified higher sexual dysfunction among non-frontline women (66.9%). The women with lower FSFI score presented: higher IES-R score, identifying PTSD present: 18.6 vs absent: 19.9 (p<0.00). Those who maintained or increased sexual activity (FSFI=20.6 and 20.8, respectively) vs decreased (FSFI=18.5), suspended (FSFI=15.0) or no sexual activity (FSFI=10.4) (p<0.00); and those never presented any sexual complaint (FSFI=20.1) vs have already presented (FSFI=19.0) or currently present (FSFI=16.2) (p<0.01). On the other hand, higher FSFI score was found among the female frontline professionals with sexual activity (frontline=21.1 vs non-frontline=20.6; p<0.00); previous sexual complaint vs current complaint (FSFI=19.7 vs 17.4; p<0.01). Among men, a difference was observed in non-frontline professionals (previous sexual complaint: IIEF-5=24 vs current complaint: 23; p=0.02). Conclusions: There was an association between non-frontline professionals and the presence of sexual dysfunction.