Depressive and Sexual Disorders during the First and Second Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic among Young Polish Women

Ewa Szuster, Paulina Kostrzewska, Anna Pawlikowska, Amanda Mandera, Małgorzata Biernikiewicz, Małgorzata Sobieszczańska, Krystyna Rożek-Piechura, Grażyna Jarząbek-Bielecka, Agnieszka Rusiecka and Dariusz Kałka
Additional contact information
Ewa Szuster: Cardiosexology Students Club, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wrocław, Poland
Paulina Kostrzewska: Cardiosexology Students Club, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wrocław, Poland
Anna Pawlikowska: Cardiosexology Students Club, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wrocław, Poland
Amanda Mandera: Cardiosexology Students Club, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wrocław, Poland
Małgorzata Biernikiewicz: Studio Słowa, 50-357 Wrocław, Poland
Małgorzata Sobieszczańska: Clinical Department of Geriatrics, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-369 Wrocław, Poland
Krystyna Rożek-Piechura: Faculty of Physiotherapy, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, 51-612 Wrocław, Poland
Grażyna Jarząbek-Bielecka: Department of Perinatology and Gynecology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-535 Poznań, Poland
Agnieszka Rusiecka: Statistical Analysis Centre, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wrocław, Poland
Dariusz Kałka: Faculty of Physiotherapy, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, 51-612 Wrocław, Poland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 3, 1-12

Abstract: We investigated whether long-term social restrictions and COVID-19 exposure have different impacts on the mental and sexual health of Polish women compared to the effects experienced at the beginning of the pandemic. An online survey was conducted among Polish women via Facebook groups. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) scores were compared for the first wave (April–May 2020) and the second wave (November 2020 to February 2021) of the pandemic. We enrolled 1644 participants (mean age 25.11 ± 7.09 years) during the first wave and 720 participants (mean age 23.23 ± 5.34 years) during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic. Significant differences were observed in libido levels and frequency of sexual activity before and during the first and second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (both p < 0.001). The percentage of participants under psychiatric or psychological care increased from 6.5% to 14.44% and those who were anxious about the health conditions of loved ones increased from 57.5% to 65.14%. BDI scores increased significantly from 11 (IQR 5–18) to 12 (IQR 7–20). The change in the FSFI score was not significant (27.01 ± 7.61 vs. 26.38 ± 7.76). The COVID-19 pandemic affected various aspects of human life, including sexual life. The data obtained during the first and the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland showed that female sexual dysfunction did not differ, but depressive symptoms and fear intensified.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; women; health; sexual functioning; mental health; Polish population; online survey (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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