The 6-item Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI-6): factor structure, reliability, and demographic correlates among infertile women in Iran

• Main Authors: Saman Maroufizadeh, Hedyeh Riazi, Hajar Lotfollahi, Reza Omani-Samani, Payam Amini
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SpringerOpen 2019-12-01
• Series: Middle East Fertility Society Journal
• Subjects: Female Sexual Function Index; Sexual Dysfunction; Reliability; Validity; Infertility
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s43043-019-0008-8

Abstract Background The 6-item Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) is a short form of the original 19-item FSFI that measures sexual function in women. The aim of this study was to examine the factor structure and reliability of the FSFI-6 and to determine the demographic correlates of sexual dysfunction among infertile women in Iran. Results In total, 250 infertile women participated in this study. The mean total FSFI-6 score was 20.71 ± 5.09. Internal consistency of the FSFI-6 was high (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.856). All inter-item correlations and item-total correlations were in acceptable range. The results of confirmatory factor analysis provided support for a unidimensional model of the FSFI-6. Among demographic and infertility variables, higher women’s age, low education, unwanted marriage, short infertility duration, and low frequency of intercourse were associated with sexual dysfunction. Conclusions The FSFI-6 demonstrated sound reliability and validity in this study, supporting its continued use for measuring sexual disfunction among infertile women. Its brevity and comprehensiveness allow a quick assessment both in clinical and research settings.