%0 Journal Article
%T Prevalence of sexual dysfunction in health care workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
%A Chen Y
%A Zhang L
%A Zhou Y
%A Zhang J
%A Yu H
%A Li Q
%A Xu J
%J Sex Med Rev
%V 0
%N 0
%D 2024 Aug 7
%M 39113188
%F 5.345
%R 10.1093/sxmrev/qeae050
%X <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Health care workers represent a substantial demographic whose welfare and work efficiency are crucial to public health and societal well-being. However, the prevalence of sexual dysfunction within this group is often overlooked, despite its significant occurrence.<BR><B>OBJECTIVE: </B>To evaluate the worldwide prevalence of sexual dysfunction among health care workers.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies ranging from 2003 to 2023 were performed to compile prevalence estimates of sexual dysfunction among health care workers. A random effects model was implemented to amalgamate the prevalence analysis. Study heterogeneity was discerned by I2 and χ2 statistics. To assess potential publication bias, an Egger's test and a funnel plot were employed.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>This meta-analysis incorporated 39 studies from 16 countries, encompassing 44 017 health care workers. The pooled prevalence of sexual dysfunction among health care workers was 46.79% (95% CI, 38.09%-55.68%), with a slightly higher prevalence of 49.57% (95% CI, 38.18%-61.01%) among clinical health care workers. The most prevalent forms of sexual dysfunction identified were loss of libido (51.26%), erectile dysfunction (36.99%), sexual dissatisfaction (36.90%), pain during intercourse (28.23%), orgasmic disorders (25.13%), low sexual arousal (23.54%), and lubrication disorders (22.62%). Among various health care professions, nurses exhibited the highest prevalence of sexual dysfunction (56.29%), followed by doctors (37.63%) and other health care workers (24.96%). Additionally, female health care workers experienced a higher prevalence of sexual dysfunction (47.61%) as compared with their male counterparts (32.01%).<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>This study indicates that nearly half of health care professionals report experiencing sexual dysfunction, with loss of libido being the most common manifestation. Addressing this issue requires a multistakeholder approach.