| dc.description.abstract | Atrophic vaginitis and painful sexual intercourse are common problems among romantic
partners, significantly affecting psychological wellbeing and relationship quality. Painful
sexual intercourse, clinically known as dyspareunia, refers to persistent or recurrent genital
pain during and after intercourse. This study explored the relationship between atrophic
vaginitis, anxiety and painful sexual intercourse among 200 sexually active lactating mothers
aged 16-47 at Kawaala Health Centre, Kampala, Uganda.
Using a quantitative correlational research design and self-administered questionnaires,
findings revealed that Atrophic vaginitis significantly predicted sexual pain, β = .45, p <.001
and anxiety, β = .45, t (187) = 5.95, p <.001. However, anxiety only explained 1.10% of the
variance in sexual pain, and its relationship with painful intercourse was not statistically
significant, R
2 = .11, F (1,187) = 12.11, p = .142. Despite this, anxiety may coexist with sexual
pain, especially when psychological distress arises from ongoing discomfort caused by atrophic
vaginitis.
Research in Uganda highlights that reproductive health issues, such as atrophic
vaginitis are underreported due to stigma, limited awareness, and barriers to healthcare access.
This study addresses these gaps, emphasizing the need to integrate psychological support into
routine care to manage emotional and sexual health burdens holistically.
The findings underscore the need for psychoeducation, and awareness campaigns to
empower women about atrophic vaginitis, anxiety and painful sexual intercourse to help them
understand these conditions, their causes and treatment options. Collaboration among
healthcare providers, psychologists, policymakers, and community organisations is vital to
improving access to care and implementing integrated interventions. Addressing these
challenges through a multidisciplinary approach can enhance the overall health and wellbeing
of women in resource limited settings like Uganda | en_US |
