• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.55-69
• /
• 2013

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the female sexual dysfunction of North Korean defector women and to identify related factors. Methods: A total of 110 North Korean defector women who married and lived in South Korean community more than 1 year participated in this study. A self-report questionnaire was used to obtain data. The dependent variable is the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Independent variables were demographic factors (age, education, residential environment, sexual experience(rape), sex knowledge and sex attitude). Data were analyzed using the SPSS for descriptive statistics, t-test, two-way ANOVA, and Multiple Hierarchical Regression. Results: The mean score of sexual function for North Korean defectors was 18.94(SD:5.88). Sexual functioning for North Korean defector women was relatively low, 18.94 in comparison to Rosen's cutoff scores of 26.6. In multiple regression analysis, the sexual function level was significantly higher in elderly, high educational level, stable residential situation, non rape, and conservative sexual attitudes. Conclusions: The results show the status and description of sexual dysfunction in North Korean Women defectors in South Korean community and can be a basic reference for study about sexual dysfunction. However, more study about North Korea Defector Women with sexual dysfunction should be interviewed and evaluated.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.77-85
• /
• 2008

Purpose: This study was to compare quality of life, sexual function, and depression between a group with sexually active women and the other with sexually inactive women who undertaken mastectomy. Methods: Participants were 106 breast cancer patients who had spouse and participated in self-help group in Gwangju, Korea. The questionnaires were consisted of Quality of Life Index-Cancer Version (Q.L.I.-C), self-rating depression scale, and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Data were analyzed using the SPSS Win 14.0 K+ for descriptive statistics, t-test, ANCOVA, and MANOVA. Results: There were no homogeneity at age, job, educational years between sexually active vs. inactive groups. In sexually active group, mean age was 46.1, having job 34.5%, bachelor's degree 38.2%, and pre-menopause 79.2%; for the inactive group 49.6, 10.4%, 12.5%, and 52.7% seperately. There were significant differences in quality of life, sexual function, and depression between two groups when four covariates were controlled. The quality of life and sexual function in sexually active group were significantly higher than inactive group(p<0.001). The depression in sexually active group was significantly lower than inactive group(p<0.001). Conclusion: This study indicates that nurses are needed to counsel and intervene psychosexual approach especially sexually inactive women with breast cancer during the recovery period.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.258-267
• /
• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of study was to compare depression, marital intimacy, sexual function and quality of life between a group of sexually active women and a group of women who were sexually inactive. All of the women were post-menopausal married women. Methods: Post-menopausal married women (n=395) of 40 to 59 years old participated in the study. Data were collected through self-report questionnaires which included items on general characteristics, and tools on depression (CES-D), marital intimacy (MIQ), sexual function (FSFI), and quality of life. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, $X^2-test$, ANCOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficients. Results: About 42% of the participants were identified as sexually inactive. Marital intimacy, sexual function, and quality of life in the sexually active group were significantly higher than the inactive group (F=17.12, p<.001; F=36.86, p<.001; F=16.78, p<.001). Depression scores in the sexually active group were significantly lower than in the inactive group (F=14.64, p<.001). Also, there was a significant relationship of depression, marital intimacy, and sexual function to quality of life in both groups. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that health professionals need to counsel and provide a psychosexual approach especially when caring for post-menopausal married women who are sexual inactive.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.223-235
• /
• 2009

Purpose: To evaluate thermal effect and medication compliance of red ginseng extract. Methods: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over clinical study was performed. Twenty four healthy, married women aged 30-45 years with FSFI score below 25 were randomly divided into two groups; red ginseng group(N=12) and placebo group(N=12). During the first 6-week period (Study1), each group was dosed with red ginseng or placebo twice a day. Before starting the second 6-week period(Study2), a crossover design was chosen with a 2-week break(Washout period). Interchanging two groups after Washout period, red ginseng and placebo were dosed to each group. The efficacy of thermal effect was measured with subjective warm sensation scale and lower abdomen temperature by Digital Infrared Thermographic imaging(DITI) before and after each 6-week period. A medication compliance was assessed after each 6-week period and the correlation medication compliance between Sasang Constitution and subjective warm sensation was analyzed. Results: Overall 23 participants completed the study. In subjective warm sensation scale, after taking placebo, all participants exhibited an improving trend, but there was no significant difference. In lower abdomen temperature by DITI, statistically significant objective thermal effect of red ginseng was also not shown. A medication compliance was higher in Yin constitution(Taeumin, Soeumin), and showed an upward trend with decreasing subjective warm sensation. But no statistically significant difference was exhibited. Conclusion: Statistically significant thermal effect of red ginseng was not shown in this study. We anticipate if a long-term clinical trial is practiced, significant thermal effect of red ginseng will be shown.