Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Psychosexual Functions of Healthcare Workers

Abstract

Background A novel infection, COVID-19, emerged in China and soon became a global pandemic. Pandemic conditions have resulted in stress in the workplace and led to anxiety among healthcare workers (HCWs), having negative impacts on different aspects of their lives, including their sexual function. Aim To evaluate the changes in the anxiety status of HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of anxiety on their sexual functions. Methods This is a longitudinal study based on an online survey conducted from April 2020 to February 2021 in hospitals designated as pandemic healthcare centers. An online survey link was sent to HCWs that provided consent for participation in the study. The anxiety status of the participants was assessed using the State Anxiety Inventory, and sexual function was evaluated using the International Index of Erectile Function–15 for men and Female Sexual Function Index for women. Outcomes Scores obtained at the beginning of the pandemic were compared with those obtained at six months into the pandemic to determine the changes in the anxiety levels and sexual functions of the HCWs. Results A total of 399 HCWs participated in the survey, and the median age was 32 (20–60) years. Compared to the beginning of the pandemic, there was a significant increase in the State Anxiety Inventory score of the female and male HCWs at the sixth month of the pandemic. Among the women, the mean total Female Sexual Function Index score was 23.55 ± 8.69 at the beginning of the pandemic and 21.42±8.91 at the sixth month, and there was a significant decrease in all parameters except pain. Among the men, the International Index of Erectile Function–15 total score was 62.75 ± 12.51 at the beginning of the pandemic and 55.1 ± 12.87 at the sixth month, indicating a significant decrease in all parameters. Clinical implications Considering that the pandemic will continue for a long time, more psychological support should be provided, and interventions should be made to protect the mental health of HCWs. Strengths & Limitations The strength of the study is that it had a fairly high number of participants across several institutions. However, being conducted in one country and the sample not being randomly selected and being based on voluntariness can be considered as limitations. Conclusion Our results show that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in the anxiety levels of both female and male HCWs, and this situation has negatively affected their sexual functions.

The impact of COVID-19 vaccination on the sexual health of male healthcare professionals

“…Occupational anxiety may have an impact on physical and mental disorders [17]. Negative effects on anxiety levels of healthcare professionals were observed during the pandemic [8,9,[18][19][20]. Anxiety and worries negatively affect sexual functionality [21].…”

The effects of social isolation measures taken against the COVID-19 pandemic on erectile functions of healthcare professionals: a prospective comparative study

“…Limited studies are available in the literature investigating the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sexual functions of healthcare workers (27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32). In the cross-sectional study by Culha et al Conducted with 232 healthcare professionals fighting COVID-19 in pandemic hospitals, the authors have reported that during the pandemic, libido, duration of foreplay, co-itus frequency decreased, and positions of coitus have changed.…”

“…In the study by Eroglu et al Evaluating the changes in anxiety among healthcare workers during the pandemic and the effect of anxiety on sexual functions, the scores of IIEF-15 and State Anxiety Inventory-I (STAI-I) were compared at the beginning and the 6th month of the pandemic. The authors have reported that the COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected the sexual life of healthcare workers and sexual function decreased in both sexes, and anxiety severity significantly increased (31). In a systematic review by Bakr et al Evaluating the changes in erectile functions in healthy controls and health care providers during the pandemic, the COVID-19 pandemic was concluded to be related to increasing ED rates, anxiety and depression increased the severity of ED more particularly in health care providers (32).…”

Mental Health of Emergency Department Healthcare Workers During COVID-19 in Brooklyn, New York

“…It is therefore uncertain as to whether COVID-19 triggered incident adverse mental health symptoms, exacerbated existing or preclinical mental health symptom burden, or whether poor mental health existed already among HCW and remained during the pandemic. 14 There are a small number of longitudinal studies among HCW reporting levels of, for example, anxiety 61 and psychological distress, 62 which reported that they increased within 6 months from the beginning of the pandemic. However, published longitudinal studies are rare and have a short duration of follow-up.…”