PREVALENCIA DE DISFUNCIÓN SEXUAL, ASOCIADA A VIOLENCIA INVISIBLE DE GÉNERO Y FACTORES SOCIODEMOGRÁFICOS EN USUARIAS DEL DEPARTAMENTO DE GINECOLOGÍA DEL CENTRO DE ESPECIALIDADES CENTRAL CUENCA DEL IESS 2025

Abstract

Female sexual dysfunction is a common condition that can significantly affect women's health. While various studies have associated it with gender-based violence, so-called invisible violence (characterized by subtle, normalized, and often unrecognized manifestations) has been scarcely addressed. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of female sexual dysfunction and its association with invisible gender-based violence and sociodemographic factors among patients of the Gynecology Department at the Cuenca Central Specialty Center (CECC) of the Ecuadorian Social Security Institute (IESS) during 2025. A quantitative, analytical, and cross-sectional study was conducted with a non-probabilistic convenience sample of 365 patients, selected based on their attendance at outpatient appointments. Data collection was carried out using validated instruments: the Q-IVAW questionnaire (C-CVIM), the Women's Sexual Activity Assessment Scale (EVAS-M), the Graffar-Méndez Castellanos Scale, and a sociodemographic survey developed by the author. The analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics with SPSS version 25. The results showed a prevalence of female sexual dysfunction of 36.2%, with a significant association with age over 44 years and the presence of invisible gender-based violence. Maintaining a stable relationship and having a low-to-middle socioeconomic status were factors associated with presenting the pathology. No significant association was found with educational or religious background. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating comprehensive assessments of female sexuality and the detection of invisible gender-based violence into health services.