Knowledge and attitude on sex among medical students of a Malaysian university: a comparison study.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between clinical/socio-demographic factors with knowledge and attitude on sex among medical students of the National University of Malaysia (UKM). METHODS: A cross-sectional study assessing 452 students using a self-administered questionnaire of knowledge and attitude was performed and had a response rate of 80%. RESULTS: The majority of respondents were Malays (56%), females (57.5%), lived in urban areas (66.4%), had a median family income of RM3000 and perceived themselves as moderately religious (60%). The overall score on knowledge about sex was 21.7 of 35 (a higher score indicates better knowledge about sex). It was noted that 73.2% of students felt that they did not receive adequate training in medical school to deal with patients' sexuality and sexual problems, while 51.5% felt uncomfortable talking to patients about these issues. Students in the clinical year were more knowledgeable than those in pre-clinical years (22.67 versus 20.71, P < 0.001). No significant differences were found in terms of their backgrounds, such as being from urban or rural areas (P = 0.349) and between genders (P = 0.286). Only 54.9% of students had a satisfactory level of knowledge on sex (>22 marks [median score]). DISCUSSION: The students' attitude on sex was considered conservative as the majority of them disagreed on premarital sex, masturbation, abortion, homosexuality and oral sex. Gender and religiosity have a large influence on attitudes on controversial sexual issues, whereas clinical status plays a small role. Knowledge on sex among UKM medical students is inadequate and their attitudes on sex are considered conservative. Integration of sexual medicine and health modules in the medical curriculum is crucial for students to more effectively address patients' sexual problems and promote non-judgmental attitudes towards patients.

Orgasmic dysfunction among women at a primary care setting in Malaysia.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of orgasmic dysfunction and the potential risk factors that may be associated with orgasmic dysfunction among women at a primary care setting in Malaysia. METHODS: A validated questionnaire for sexual function was used to assess orgasmic function. A total of 230 married women aged 18 to 70 years participated in this study. Their sociodemographic and marital profiles were compared between those who had orgasmic dysfunction and those who did not, and the risk factors were examined. RESULTS: The prevalence of orgasmic dysfunction in the primary care population was 51.9%. Women with orgasmic dysfunction were found to be significantly higher in the following groups: age >45 years, being non-Malay, having lower academic status, married longer, having more children, married to an older husband, and being at menopausal state. CONCLUSION: Women with infrequent sexual intercourse are less likely to be orgasmic (odds ratio = 0.29, 95% confidence interval = 0.11-0.74).

The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI): validation of the Malay version.

INTRODUCTION: Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a prevalent sexual health problem that has been inadequately investigated in Malaysia, a nation with a conservative multiethnic society. AIM: To validate the Malay version of the Female Sexual Function Index (MVFSFI) for the study of FSD. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: To measure the validity and reliability of the MVFSFI and its domains. METHODS: Validation was carried out on aspects of face, content, discriminant, and criterion (concurrent) validity. Reliability studies on test-retest and on internal consistency were conducted with Cronbach's alpha and Pearson correlation, respectively. The values with the highest sensitivity and specificity generated from the receiver operating characteristic curves were taken as the cutoff scores to differentiate cases and noncases. RESULTS: A total of 230 married women aged 18-70 years participated in this study. There was a high test-retest correlation by respondents (r at least >0.7). The MVFSFI was found to have good discriminant validity as a whole and for each domain. A total score of 55 was taken as the cutoff point for the MVFSFI to distinguish between women with sexual dysfunction and those without (sensitivity = 99%, specificity = 97%). Scores lower than 55 indicate sexual dysfunction. The cutoff score for each domain was also established for the MVFSFI:

The prevalence of sexual dysfunction and potential risk factors that may impair sexual function in Malaysian women.

INTRODUCTION: Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a prevalent sexual health problem that does not spare the women in Malaysia, a nation with a conservative multiethnic society. AIM: To investigate the prevalence of FSD and the potential risk factors that may impair sexual function among women at a primary care setting in Malaysia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The prevalence, the risk factors, and the main predictors for FSD were measured among these women. METHODS: A validated Malay version of the Female Sexual Function Index was used to assess FSD. A total of 230 married women aged 18-70 years participated in this study. The sociodemographic and marital profiles of women who had FSD and those who did not were compared; the risk factors for FSD were determined. RESULTS: The majority of the respondents were younger than 50 years old, predominantly Malays, and had a higher academic achievement. The prevalence of FSD in the primary care population was 29.6%. The prevalence of women with lack of orgasms, low sexual arousal, lack of lubrication, sexual dissatisfaction, and sexual pain were 59.1%, 60.9%, 50.4%, 52.2%, and 67.8%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The risk factors for FSD are older age, Malays, married longer (more than 14 years), having less sexual intercourse (less than 1-2 times a week), having more children, married to an older husband (aged >42 years), and having a higher academic status. Lack of lubrication is found to be the main predictor for FSD in this study. Is lack of lubrication a cause or a complication of FSD? Prospective research is needed in the near future.