Sexual satisfaction among partners of patients with heart failure: a cross-sectional study in Sari, Iran

Sexual problems are common among patients with heart failure (HF) and may affect the sexual satisfaction of their partners. Understanding partners’ sexual experiences may help improve the quality of life of both patients and their partners. This study aimed to assess sexual satisfaction among partners of patients with HF and identify associated factors. This analytical cross-sectional study included 219 partners of patients with HF who were recruited using consecutive sampling from inpatient and outpatient settings at Fatemeh Zahra Hospital, Sari, Iran, between February 2022 and January 2023. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was recorded and categorized as LVEF ≤30% and LVEF >30% for analysis. Eligibility criteria included a confirmed diagnosis of HF, marital duration of at least one year, and willingness to participate. Sexual satisfaction was assessed using Larson’s Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Statistical analyses included independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression, with a significance level of p ≤ 0.05. The mean sexual satisfaction score was 74.58 ± 6.32, indicating low satisfaction. Sexual satisfaction was significantly negatively correlated with partner age (r = −0.196, p = 0.004), patient age (r = −0.197, p = 0.003), and duration of marriage (r = −0.211, p = 0.002). In multivariable linear regression analysis, having children ( p < 0.0001), type of marriage (p = 0.012), and partner employment status (p = 0.004) were independently associated with sexual satisfaction. Participants without children had higher sexual satisfaction scores than those with children (80.69 vs. 73.38). Partners of patients with heart failure reported low sexual satisfaction. Sexual satisfaction was associated with age-related factors, duration of marriage, presence of children, type of marriage, and employment status. These findings highlight the importance of addressing psychosocial and family-related factors in the care of patients with HF and their partners.