Sexual dysfunction: prevalence and associated factors in patients with mental illness receiving psychotropic medication in Nigeria.

Samuel Obateru Osasona,Mary Ehimigbai

doi:10.4314/ahs.v19i4.18

Samuel Obateru Osasona, Mary Ehimigbai

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v19i4.18

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Abstract

The objectives were to determine the prevalence of total and specific sexual dysfunction among psychiatric out-patients taking psychotropic medication, assess its relationship with some demographic and clinical variables, determine the effect of sexual dysfunction on subject's self- esteem and compliance with medication. This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in the psychiatric out-patient clinic of a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in Benin City. The International Index of Erectile Functioning (IIEF), Rosenberg's self esteem scale and a socio-demographic and clinical data questionnaire were administered to 300 participants; 150 (50%) psychiatric male patients and 150 (50%) controls. The prevalence of total sexual dysfunction was 48.7%, while that of the specific SDs ranged from 20.0% to 39.3%, with erectile dysfunction having the highest proportion. Age, marital status, class, dose of psychotropic medication, poly-pharmacy and duration of treatment were significantly associated with SD. Majority of patient with SD reported poor compliance with medication. Self-esteem scores had significant inverse relationship with total SD scores. Sexual dysfunction is prevalent amongst psychiatric patients taking psychiatric medication and has negative implications for self-esteem and medication compliance. Routine enquiry about sexual symptoms by physicians and prompt treatment of SD might enhance overall treatment success.

Highlights

Normal sexual functioning is one of the most important components of quality of life and maintenance of satisfying intimate relationship.[1]
Ed patients;[8] both positive symptoms (e.g hallucination) and negative symptoms of schizophrenia may affect the patients interpersonal relationship and impact negatively on their sexual functioning[8,10] Aizenberg and his colleagues[10] reported that majority of untreated schizophrenia patients had a reduced desired for sex compared with healthy control group, mood disorders interfere with libido and erectile function[8] Secondly, sexual dysfunction (SD) may be related to treatment with psychotropic medications especially antipsychotics and antidepressant and SD caused by psychotropic medication has become an increasingly important topic.[13]
This study examined sexual dysfunction among patients attending a psychiatric out-patient clinic in Benin City, Nigeria

Summary

Introduction

Normal sexual functioning is one of the most important components of quality of life and maintenance of satisfying intimate relationship.[1]. Ed patients;[8] both positive symptoms (e.g hallucination) and negative symptoms of schizophrenia may affect the patients interpersonal relationship and impact negatively on their sexual functioning[8,10] Aizenberg and his colleagues[10] reported that majority of untreated schizophrenia patients had a reduced desired for sex compared with healthy control group, mood disorders interfere with libido and erectile function[8] Secondly, SD may be related to treatment with psychotropic medications especially antipsychotics and antidepressant and SD caused by psychotropic medication has become an increasingly important topic.[13] Serretti and Chiesa[14] reported that both typical and some atypical antipsychotics are frequently associated with SD. The exact mechanism of psychotropic related SD is poorly understood[17], the pharmacological profile of individual drugs may play important roles

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