Development and Validation of Chinese Version of Female Sexual Function Index in a Chinese Population—A Pilot Study

INTRODUCTION: Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a prevalent problem that has been continuously overlooked in mainland China. An assessment instrument for FSD is urgently needed. AIM: To develop and validate the Chinese version of the Female Sexual Function Index (CVFSFI) to assess FSD in China. METHODS: A total of 328 women (20-65 years old) participated in this study. The CVFSFI was developed through the procedures of translation, back translation, revision by research team, and pilot study. After an interview for clinical diagnosis of FSD based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria, all participants completed the CVFSFI for a validation study. Eighty-three women completed CVFSFI again 3-4 weeks after the first visit. Test-retest reliability was determined by Pearson product-moment correlations. Internal consistency reliability was estimated with Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Construct validity was evaluated by principal component analysis using varimax rotation. Discriminant validity was assessed with between-groups analysis of variance. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Including the reliability and the validity of the CVFSFI and its domains. RESULTS: A total of 172 women (52.4%) met the DSM-IV-TR criteria for diagnosis of sexual dysfunction and were included in the FSD group, while 156 (47.6%) women without FSD were included in the control group. We showed that the overall test-retest reliability coefficients were high for total CVFSFI and each domain (r at least 0.69) and the internal consistency reliability of CVFSFI was within the acceptable range (Cronbach's alpha values: from 0.69 to 0.94). Moreover, the principal component analysis with varimax rotation produced six-factor structure similar to the original FSFI. We found significant differences in both total and domain scores between FSD and control groups, demonstrating a good discriminant validity of CVFSFI. CONCLUSION: The CVFSFI is a reliable and valid questionnaire, which can be used in the assessment of FSD among Chinese women.