The impact of the coronavirus disease-19 pandemic on sexual behavior of marriage people in Indonesia

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has been a global challenge since its first encounter. It has changed the daily lives of families including the sexual behavior of couples due to public health concerns and government policy to restrict people’s movement. It has changed both interpersonal and partner relationships;the time availability at home, the continued presence of children at home, the fear of infection, and the inability to physically interact with others have changed most people’s sexual behavior. AIM: This study aims to evaluate sexual behavior changes in marriage people of Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional online study was conducted, using self-constructed questionnaires. The convenience sample was collected from married males and females for at least 10 months from November 2020 to January 2021. The participants were asked 19 and 20 questions for female and male, respectively, which was an adaptation of the previous questionnaires. Furthermore, a study was conducted to analyze descriptively the changes of sexuality among married people before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: About 201 participants who completed the survey, 110 males (54.7%) and 91 females (45.3%) were included in the analyses. The mean age of participants was 37 years old. Most of the participants have middle to high socio-economy classes and have children at home. Shifting in the work schedule is the main reason to change sexual behaviors. Participants experienced significant changes in sexual behaviors and some sexual responses before and during the restriction time. CONCLUSION: The pandemic has changed sexual behaviors due to social restrictions in Indonesia. These findings imply messages about the consequences of the pandemic on sexual behaviors that may affect the sexual relationship, marriage stability, and physical health itself to fight coronavirus.