Sexual abuse experienced by married Egyptian women.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of sexual abuse (SA) and associated factors among married women in Lower Egypt. METHODS: A cross-sectional clinic- and hospital-based survey was designed for married women aged between 16 and 49 years. The study was conducted with 936 women from the Dakahlia Governorate, which is considered representative of Lower Egypt. Data were collected by personal interview using a questionnaire. RESULTS: The response rate was 93.6%. The most commonly reported frequency of sexual intercourse was 2 to 4 times per week. More than one-third of the women (36.2%) thought this was too frequent, and 11.5% reported being sexually abused in addition to other sexual problems. The educational level of the women; the presence of genital mutilation; parity, especially for those who had more than 5 deliveries; number of gynecologic visits; and history of gynecologic interventions were significantly or highly significantly associated with SA. The husbands' educational level and age were highly significantly correlated with their wives reporting SA, particularly when the men were illiterate or were smokers or drug users. CONCLUSION: The study's findings demonstrate an immediate need for the prevention of SA in Lower Egypt.

Female sexual dysfunction in Lower Egypt.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in Lower Egypt. DESIGN: A cross-sectional clinic-/hospital-based survey. SETTING: Five district medical centres in Dakahlia Governorate: Shirbin, Bilquas, Samblawen, Dekrinis and Mansoura City. POPULATION: One thousand married women aged between 16 and 49 years. METHODS: Data were collected by personal interview in a questionnaire format in addition to physical examination (when allowed). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: FSD and associated risk factors. RESULTS: The response rate was 93.6%. 68.9% of women had one or more sexual problems; however, 23% of the women with sexual problems were not distressed by these issues. 31.5% of women suffered from dyspareunia. 49.6% of the women had decreased sexual desire, 36% had difficult arousal and 16.9% had anorgasmia (primary and secondary). Marital disharmony, 'hate' and unfavourable socio-economic circumstances were the most common aggravating factors (28.1%) for sexual dysfunction among the participants, followed by pregnancy-related events (15.7%). Most women (84.5%) received no help for their sexual problems. 90.3% of the women were circumcised. Only 7.1% (46 of 645) of women with sexual problems had received treatment, with no real improvement reported in 58.7% (27 of the 46 women). CONCLUSIONS: FSD is a highly prevalent problem within the scope of this study. Low reporting rates and very low treatment rates were identified in the sample from Lower Egypt.