BACKGROUND: The Operated Male-to-Female Sexual Function Index (oMtFSFI) questionnaire is the first scoring system developed to assess sexual function after gender-affirming vulvo-vaginoplasty, and was initially developed and validated in Italian. The aim of this study was to provide linguistic validation of the questionnaire in French through several steps including use of the questionnaires across a series of patients who had undergone gender-affirming vulvo-vaginoplasty between 2020 and 2022 at two French academic centers.
METHODS: The French version of the oMtFSFI questionnaire was obtained through a double translation (Italian to French) and a back-translation (French to Italian), validated by a scientific committee, and cognitively assessed by a panel of expert patients. The questionnaire was then distributed to transgender male to female patients who had undergone genital gender affirming surgery at two French academic centers.
RESULTS: The oMtFSFI score consists of 18 questions exploring 7 domains (genital self-image, desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, sexual pain). Among the sixty-four patients who responded to the questionnaire, 16 patients (25%) reported abstaining from sexual activity involving vaginal penetration at the time of the study were excluded. The mean total score was 37, corresponding to mild to moderate sexual dysfunction and 60.4% of the patients reported normal overall sexual function. The level of sexual satisfaction was normal for 68.8% of the patients and the genital self-image was normal for 52.1%. Most of the patients (79.2%) reported at least mild dyspareunia and 10.4% had critical sexual dysfunction. Surgery improved gender dysphoria in 96.7% of patients. There was a strong correlation between the overall oMtFSFI score and the happiness Visual Analog Scale (VAS) (P<0.001) as well as with the quality of life VAS (P<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: The French version of the oMtFSFI questionnaire is the only scoring system specifically developed to assess sexual function after vulvo-vaginoplasty in transgender women linguistically validated in French. Its validation in French language makes it an interesting tool for research and clinical practice.
METHODS:

Sexuality is an integral part of health and accompanies human beings throughout their lives. It contributes to well-being and improves quality of life. The social representations conveyed by Western society modulate sexuality and can play a decisive role in the expression of seniors\' sexuality.

Migrants living in precarious conditions face many health-related vulnerabilities, particularly in the area of sexual health. This is a real challenge for healthcare professionals, who need to adopt appropriate approaches in order to help them become anchored in a care pathway.

Médecins du Monde France is involved in supporting sex workers in reducing health risks, and has highlighted the fragility of this population with regard to current legislative measures concerning sex work. These multiple constraints have negative repercussions in terms of access to health rights, but also in terms of their work.

Preventing and protecting the population against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is a key focus of sexual health policies. Currently, there are a number of preventive strategies in place to protect users, particularly those in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex (LGBTI) community, from the risk of contracting STIs. In this article, we will outline the current prevention measures available to help those concerned.

Taking an interest in the sexual health of vulnerable populations also means taking into account the notion of risky behavior. The aim here is to support and promote these behaviors and reduce the risks that may arise. Faced with such challenges, the public authorities have put this issue on the agenda by developing strategic and operational tools to achieve the objectives defined for 2030.

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of the practices and knowledge of general practitioners in Bouches-du-Rhône and Vaucluse regarding their patients\'s sexual health.
METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among general practitioners in Bouches-du-Rhône and Vaucluse from January 12, 2023 to February 9, 2023. A questionnaire was developed and sent to general practitioners practicing in Bouches-du-Rhône and Vaucluse. It was distributed by personal and professional emails and numbers, and Bouches-du-Rhône and Vaucluse\'s medical order. The questionnaire was divided into three parts: the first collected demographic and epidemiological data, the second assessed knowledge and practices of general practitioners regarding the sexual health, and the last evaluated practitioner\'s obstacles to talking about sexual health.
RESULTS: Ninety-nine general practitioners responded to the questionnaire (99/276, 35.9%). In all, 30.3% obtained a rate of correct answers>60%. The general practitioners with the best response rates had training in sexology or a degree in gynecology (P=0.0109). In their practices, some topics such as contraception for adolescents, the reassessment of contraception, the search for vulvuvaginal disorders in postmenopausal patients are more addressed by doctors and in particular those of the female sex. Other topics such as sexual violence, male sexual dysfunction and sexual health in patients over 70 are less discussed in consultation.
CONCLUSIONS: The care of sexual health is an important part of global health, specific to the profession of general practitioner. The results of our study suggest that the knowledge and practices of general practitioners in Bouches-du-Rhône and Vaucluse, are perfectible. The establishment of professional training, consultation dedicated to prevention, or even better awareness of sexual health professionals would promote a better screening.

Supportive care, in the context of breast cancer in the elderly, is part of standard oncogeriatric care. Nevertheless, the multidisciplinary reinforcement of the different transversal teams can support the global approach, that is essential to the quality of care and the life course. Evaluation is the basis of this management. As a result of this evaluation, the approach to sexual health is a novelty that is often insufficiently considered with elderly patients suffering from breast malignancy.

Despite the popular belief that sexuality disappears with age, research shows that it is an important focus for many people over 60. Contemporary realities observed among this population reveal real needs for affection and sexual desires that translate into various practices. This does not exclude residents of long-term care centres (CHSLD). However, a certain number of barriers to the expression of sexuality by elderly people in institutions keep the staff and the residents themselves in the perception of implicit asexuality. Since the mission of a CHSLD is to provide a temporary or permanent substitute living environment whose guiding principles relating to integrity, freedom and dignity help to prevent phenomena often associated with collective residential environments, the protection of personal spaces is a first step in recognising residents\' sexual needs.

BACKGROUND: Despite the frequency of sexual issues during cancer care, the majority of nurses do not bring up the topic with their patients. The purpose of this study is to encourage nurses in oncology and hematology units on how to better participate in the assessment of the well-being of cancer patients as part of their sexual health.
METHODS: Using an interview guide, we conducted a qualitative study by interviewing twenty nurses working in the Oncology and Hematology Units of four Belgian hospitals. The twenty semi-structured interviews were transcribed, and we performed a content analysis of the data collected.
RESULTS: Sexuality is still a taboo topic, sexual dysfunction is undervalued, nurses lack knowledge on the topic which create many barriers to sexual health assessment. Obstacles are intrinsic or extrinsic towards nurses: prejudices, embarrassment, lack of evaluation tools, lack of support, resources, the environment is not always adequate. This is linked to the lack of knowledge of side effects of treatments, the lack of know-how, well-being and reflexivity. The assessment of sexual health is however part of their role. Nurses would like to have tools and better education to address the various shortcoming on how to address sexual health.
CONCLUSIONS: Nurses must acknowledge the existence of sexual health issues in cancer patients by rectifying their perceptions of sexuality, improving their knowledge and management of care, by addressing the issue of sexual health early enough.