{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,22]],"date-time":"2026-09-22T19:04:45Z","timestamp":1790103885223,"version":"4.0.1"},"reference-count":56,"publisher":"BMJ","issue":"3","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,22]],"date-time":"2026-09-22T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1790035200000},"content-version":"unspecified","delay-in-days":83,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"WHO Office of Africa"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["bmj.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["bmjph"],"accepted":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,15]]},"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,7]]},"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Introduction<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Postpartum sexual health is a crucial aspect of maternal well-being, yet many women worldwide experience postpartum female sexual dysfunction (PFSD). This study aimed to assess its prevalence and investigate the major influencing factors.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 April to 30 June 2024. A total of 400 mothers were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected using a semi-structured, pretested, self-administered questionnaire and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) to assess sexual dysfunction. Data were entered and managed using EpiData V.4.6 and analysed using SPSS V.25. A multivariable logistic regression model was fitted and adjusted ORs (AORs) with 95% CIs were reported. A p value of \u22640.05 was considered statistically significant.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Result<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>400 mothers participated, yielding a 97.6% response rate for data analysis. The prevalence of PFSD was found to be 56%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified several factors significantly associated with PFSD. These factors included maternal age over 40 years (AOR=6.93; 95%\u2009CI 1.45 to 32.99), absence of antenatal care (AOR=2.33; 95%\u2009CI 1.33 to 4.08), instrumental-assisted delivery (AOR=7.11; 95%\u2009CI 2.72 to 18.90), postpartum maternal depression (AOR=4.34; 95%\u2009CI 3.23 to 7.78) and episiotomy (AOR=1.73; 95%\u2009CI 1.03 to 2.89).<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>More than half of the study participants experienced PFSD. Advanced maternal age, episiotomy, lack of antenatal care during pregnancy, instrumental-assisted delivery and postpartum depression were negatively associated with postpartum sexual function. Given its high prevalence and impact, PFSD represents a significant public health concern that warrants a multidisciplinary approach to promote safe postpartum sexual health and improve maternal well-being in the community.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1136\/bmjph-2025-004459","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,22]],"date-time":"2026-09-22T18:35:34Z","timestamp":1790102134000},"page":"e004459","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/crossmarkpolicy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Postpartum sexual dysfunction in resource-limited settings: a cross-sectional study of maternal sexual health"],"prefix":"10.1136","volume":"4","author":[{"given":"Melaku Tafere","family":"Negash","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Gondar College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Gondar, Ethiopia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Girmachew Tesfaye","family":"Agegnehu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Gondar College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Gondar, Ethiopia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-5264-3858","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Chalie Tadie","family":"Tsehay","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Gondar College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Gondar, Ethiopia"},{"name":"Department of Epidemiology and Biostatics, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Gondar, Ethiopia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0007-3250-101X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Eniyew Assimie","family":"Alemu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Anesthesia, University of Gondar College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Gondar, Ethiopia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"239","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,22]]},"reference":[{"key":"2026092211352812000_4.3.e004459.1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"8","DOI":"10.1016\/j.esxm.2019.10.005","article-title":"Postpartum Female Sexual Function: Risk Factors for Postpartum Sexual Dysfunction","volume":"8","author":"Gutzeit","year":"2020","journal-title":"Sex Med"},{"key":"2026092211352812000_4.3.e004459.2","unstructured":"Organization, W.H . 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