Symptoms of genital tract infections and sexual function in women attending the Consultorio Obstétrico Integral de la Mujer, Quito, 2022

Abstract

Background: complaints due to external genitalia symptoms and genital discharge occupy 15-30% of the reasons for consultation in the gynaecology and obstetrics area. Objective: to determine the relationship between symptoms of genital tract infection and sexual function in women attending the Consultorio Obstétrico Integral de la Mujer (hereafter COIM), Quito, 2022. Methodological design: quantitative-analytical cross-sectional study, with 245 women attending the gynaecological clinic. The following instruments were applied: a form for sociodemographic and gynaecological variables, and the validated EVAS-M questionnaire to measure sexual function. Data coding and statistical analysis were performed with SPSS 25. Results describe frequencies, percentages, averages, and standard deviation. Pearson's Chi-square test was used to test the hypothesis. The statistical significance was 0,05. Results: ages ranged from 18 - 77 years. The most prevalent genital symptoms were itching or pruritus (43,7%), genital discharge (35,5%) and pain (25,7%). 40,4% of the patients scored a total score or less than 38 points, meaning that they have probable sexual dysfunction. Conclusions: a statistically significant correlation was determined between two symptoms of genital tract infection [burning (p<0,05) and pain (p<0,05)], with sexual function in women attending COIM, during the period March-August 2022.