Perspectives of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in Ethiopia Towards Female Sexual.
| dc.contributor.advisor | Dr. Endalkachew Mekonen | |
| dc.contributor.advisor | Dr. Salih Hassen | |
| dc.contributor.author | Dr. Medina Barsenga | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-11-04T05:13:10Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-11-04T05:13:10Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2026 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Background: Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a common yet often neglected health problem in Ethiopia. Although obstetricians and gynecologists are the primary providers of sexual and reproductive healthcare, their perspectives on FSD have not previously been assessed. Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practices regarding female sexual dysfunction and to identify factors associated with clinical practice among obstetricians and gynecologists in Ethiopia in 2025. Methods: An analytic, nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted among 245 obstetricians and gynecologists recruited through convenience sampling via professional networks and social media platforms. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. The data were summarized using frequencies and percentages, medians and interquartile ranges, and graphical presentations. To identify factors associated with good practice, binary logistic regression analysis was performed at p < 0.05, and results were reported using adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Out of 245 participants, 40.8% demonstrated adequate knowledge and 41.2% had favorable attitudes, but only 10.2% exhibited good clinical practice, while 61.2% were categorized as having poor practice. Most specialists correctly identified core types of FSD, such as decreased sexual desire (96.3%), but fewer than half were aware of standardized assessment tools such as the Female Sexual Function Index (46.1%). The most prominent barriers reported were lack of formal training (79.6%), absence of clinical guidelines (64.5%), and cultural or religious factors (59.6%). In multivariate analysis, factors significantly associated with good practice included more than 5 years of professional experience (AOR = 2.59, 95% CI: 1.25–5.37, p = 0.010), formal sexual and reproductive health (SRH) training specially on FSD (AOR = 10.01, 95% CI: 2.40–41.78, p = 0.002), adequate knowledge (AOR = 5.80, 95% CI: 3.01–11.19, p < 0.0001), and favorable attitude (AOR = 4.11, 95% CI: 2.14–7.87, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Ethiopian obstetricians and gynecologists demonstrate moderate knowledge and generally favorable attitudes toward female sexual dysfunction; however, clinical practice remains limited. The tenfold increase in good practice among trained providers, together with the high proportion of specialists identifying lack of training as a major barrier, highlights an ix important opportunity for improvement through targeted training and supportive policies that strengthen clinicians‟ skills and translate willingness into effective clinical practice. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/9266 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Addis Ababa Uinverstiy | |
| dc.subject | Female sexual dysfunction | |
| dc.subject | OB-GYN | |
| dc.subject | Ethiopia | |
| dc.subject | cross-sectional study | |
| dc.subject | sexual health | |
| dc.subject | provider perspectives. | |
| dc.title | Perspectives of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in Ethiopia Towards Female Sexual. | |
| dc.type | Thesis |