Post-Diabetes Sexual Behavioural Changes Among Male Type-2 Diabetes Patients in South-West Nigeria

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) a metabolic disorder is characterized with reduced post-diabetes quality of sexual life among male patients. However, the subject of post-diabetes sexual behavioural changes including fears and concerns remain a much neglected area among diabetes patients even though it is important for their reproductive function. AIM/OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed at investigating the post-diabetes sexual behavioural changes among male type-2 diabetes patients in Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital Ibadan. METHODS: A sampled 277 male diabetic patients were recruited to a cross sectional study. A well-structured questionnaire which comprised of socio-demographic characteristics, behavioural changes that led to post-diabetes sexual dysfunction, and Libido/sexual desire of the respondents was used to collect the data. The data was analysed using SPSS Version 21. RESULTS More than one-third of the respondents 101(36.50%) were between the ages 50-59 years while 252(91.0%) were married and 171(61.70%) attained secondary school education. Majority of the sampled respondents 218(78.70%) affirmed to have diminished desire for sexual intercourse and 201(72.60%) affirmed not to have had satisfactory sex in the last 6 months. In addition, most 182(65.70%) consented not to experience orgasm out of which 231(83.40%) consented to be bothered by its absence. The factors highlighted by the respondents that led to post-diabetes sexual dysfunction were changes in libido 200(72.70%), medications 172(62.10%) and fatigue 154(55.60%) CONCLUSION/RECOMMENDATION The study showed diminished desire for sexual intercourse and unsatisfactory sex among the respondents. Post-diabetes sexual counseling by clinicians, health educators and endocrinologist is recommended for male DM patients in order to mitigate the impact of post-diabetes complications on the sexual and reproductive health of male DM patients.