25 - Physical and psychological factors that impact sexual functioning after electrocautery treatment for HGAIN in HIV positive MSM

Abstract

Started working as an HIV counselor in 2001 and first performed HRA in 2011 in the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. As an assignment during his extra study to become a sexual healthcare counselor, he performed the following study. The results have not been published. Although his study is small (n=6), he feels that the results are newsworthy for all healthcare providers visiting the IANS scientific meeting. Background A recent study showed negative impact of electrocautery treatment for anal HSIL on sexual functioning of HIV-positive MSM. Little is known about the physical and psychological factors that impact sexual functioning after electrocautery treatment. This study set out to identify what physical and psychological factors had an impact on sexual functioning of HIV-positive MSM that reported negative effects on their sexual functioning after electrocautery treatment. Methods In this qualitative survey six patients with known negative effects after electrocautery treatment, were interviewed using a semi-structured in-depth interview. Physical factors were analyzed as is. Psychological sexual factors were labeled and categorized using the grounded theory. Results Of six interviewed men, ages ranged from 27 to 66 years old, three participants were in a stable relationship with one partner, two were single and one had a sex buddy. HGAIN diagnose ranged from one to nine years. Four out of six patients reported physical factors that negatively impacted their sexual functioning of which blood loss, pain and loss of sensation were reported most. All patients reported psychological sexual factors that had a negative impact on their sexual functioning. These factors were categorized: on a personal level, within the relationship, with regard to feelings and action. The most dramatic result was showed that one out of six reported having ended his relationship and one was too afraid to start a new relationship. Conclusions This small study shows the impact of psychological factors on sexual functioning after electrocautery treatment. We advise that sexuality is discussed during HRA visits to allow healthcare providers to resolve misconceptions and provide sexual counseling or refer them to sexual counselor experts.