Changes in sexual functions and habits of healthcare workers during the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak: a cross-sectional survey study

BACKGROUND: The negative psychosocial effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers are increasing worldwide. AIM: The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of healthcare workers’ long-term exposure to the COVID-19 outbreak on their sexual habits and functions. METHODS: A total of 263 healthcare workers completed this online questionnaire between 1 December 2020 and 31 January 2021. After the informed consent of the participants, the first part of the three-part survey included demographic data, COVID-19 disease status and sexual habits before and after COVID-19, sexual function and anxiety status assessment in the second and last part. RESULTS: A total of 240 participants were included in the study. Of the participants, 124 were men, 116 were women. The mean age of the participants was 40.18 ± 7. Compared to pre-pandemic period, health workers’ sexual desire level (p = 0.000), weekly sexual intercourse frequency (p = 0.001), foreplay duration (p = 0.000), and coitus duration (p = 0.009) decreased during the ongoing pandemic period. When the factors affecting sexual dysfunction were evaluated with multivariate logistic regression analysis, it was determined that female gender (OR 0.312), high anxiety score (OR 0.949), and decreased quality social time spent with spouse or partner were risk factors for sexual dysfunction (OR 0.358). CONCLUSION: Psychological support provided to healthcare workers during the ongoing pandemic period will improve their sexual habits and functions negatively affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as their social life with their spouses or partners.