[Post-partum sexuality. Living in black African couple analysis]

Introduction: The period of the post-partum arouses a lot of questioning in the couple in particular regarding sexuality.

Objective: Analyze the real-life experience of the sexuality of the African black couples in the post-partum.

Patients and method: It was about study type attitudes and practical knowledge which took place in the department of gynecology-obstetrics and andrology of the teaching hospital of Bouaké over the period going in September 30th, 2012 on April 30th, 2013. The study took place in two stages. The first stage had consisted in a pre-test which allowed validate the questionnaire which contained 16 items. The second stage consisted submitting it directly to the patients, in postnatal consultation, who had agreed to participate in the study after an informed consent. The data were analyzed with epi-info, 2002 version.

Results: On 395 patients investigated, we noted the resumption of the sexual intercourse for 140 patients (34,2 %). The resumption was made on the initiative of the partner in 67,9 % of the cases, in particular after the return of menstruation (53,8 %). The reason to accept sexual intercourse was to satisfy the partner (60,7 %) and to maintain the harmony of the couple (57,1 %). However, the weekly frequency of the sexual intercourse had decreased in 75 % of the couples. This decrease was caused by the time dedicated to the child (66,7 %) and by the dyspareunia (57,1 %). We also observed a more important frequency of the anal sexual intercourse in the post-partum compared with the period before the childbirth (17,8 % vs. 3,57 %). Also, the use of subtleties, such as lubricants was observed more frequently in the post-partum (39,3 % vs. 3,6 %). Sixty-four comma three percent of the patients had found less satisfaction sexual intercourse. Dyspareunia was more frequent in case of episiotomy, perineal tear during the delivery and delivery assisted (vacuum). The patients, in 51 % of the cases, were themselves responsible for the refusal of the resumption of the sexual activity. The reasons of the refusal were of cultural and religious order and in touch with the absence of the return of menstruation in respectively 64,7 % and 54,9 % of the cases.

Conclusion: The delivery had a negative impact on the resumption of couple sexual activity. Also, we noted a strong influence of the cultural and religious faiths on the sexual practice of the post-partum in the absence of reliable information. A particular attention should be concerned by the medical profession on the question of sexuality in the post-partum.