The Predictive Role of Health Literacy in the Sexual Dysfunction of Women with Coronary Artery Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the most common chronic diseases whose complications harm sexual functioning. Given the importance of sexual functioning and the effects of CAD on it, it is important to identify the factors that can affect sexual functioning. This study aimed to determine the predictive role of health literacy in the sexual functioning of women with CAD. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021 on 385 women with CAD who visited comprehensive health centers and doctors’ offices in Bushehr Province (Iran) and were selected via convenience sampling. The data were collected using a demographic information form, The Adults Functional Health Literacy questionnaire, and the Female Sexual Function Index. The data were then analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression at the significance level of < 0.05. The mean age of the participants was 52.19 ± 12.15. The mean health literacy score was 72.25 + 24.18. The mean sexual function score was 17.75 + 8.80. Thirty-five percent of the participants had severe or moderate sexual dysfunction. The results showed that high health literacy reduces the risk of overall sexual dysfunction (p = 0.006). The results showed that high health literacy reduces the risk of overall sexual dysfunction and most of its domains. Healthcare and health education specialists should improve the health literacy of women with CAD by using simple and understandable training. It is necessary to conduct prospective studies to determine the causal relationship between the studied variables and confirm the results of the present study.