A Study on Influencing Factors for Sexual Satisfaction in Diabetic Patients

당뇨병환자의 성생활 만족요인에 관한 연구

This study was designed and undertaken to analyse the factors associated with sexual satisfaction in diabetic patients. The data were collected from September to November, 1997. The subjects in this study were 77 diabetic patients who visited to check their blood glucose level to the outpatient department of internal medicine in one of hospitals located in Taejon city, The questionnaires developed by Derogatis L. R. were used. Data were analysed using percentages, means, 1-test, ANOVA and Peason-correlation coefficients, done with the SAS program. The results of this study were as follows ; 1. The mean score of sexual satisfaction in diabetic patients was higher than the mid level as 3.14 points in the 5 points scale and male patients' score was a little higher than female's. 2. The mean score of factors associated with sexual life was 3.54 points in spouses' support, 3.44 points in sexual attitude and 2.60 points in body image in the 5 points scale, and 2.76 points in the sexual act in the 6 points scale. The score of above all factors were higher in male patients than female patients. 3. The significant factors associated with sexual satisfaction were spouses' support, body image and sexual act. That is, the higher spouses' support, the more positive body image and the more frequent sexual act, the higher patients' sexual satisfaction. 4. In the relationships between the sexual satisfaction and the general characteristics of the diabetic patients, only religion and the period of disease were statistically significant differents, but the relationships between the sexual satisfaction and the period of disease showed a significant inverse correlation. This results showed that the degree of sexual satisfaction in diabetic patients was relatively high. The major factors associated with sexual satisfaction were spouses' support, body image and sexual act, religion and the period of disease. So, the above factors have to be considered during the nursing intervention on diabetic patients' sexual life.