Prevalence and correlates of sexual dysfunction among patients with mental disorders in a tertiary hospital in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Sexual dysfunction is more common among patients with mental disorders compared to the general population. Despite this high occurrence, information regarding sexual dysfunction as well as their correlates in patients receiving care for mental disorders in developing countries is still sparse.Aim: To determine the prevalence and correlates of sexual dysfunction among patients with mental disorders receiving care in a tertiary hospital in Southwest Nigeria.Setting: This study was performed at the psychiatric outpatient clinic at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a convenience sample of 238 adults aged 18–60 years. Socio-demographic and clinical information was obtained from all recruited patients. Sexual dysfunction was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire for men and the Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire for women. Questionnaires for measuring depression, medication adherence and autonomic medication side effects were also administered. Associations between sexual dysfunction and socio-demographic and clinical factors were explored.Results: The prevalence rates of sexual dysfunction among male and female participants were 84.7% and 95.7%, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, employment status and autonomic side effects of psychotropic medications significantly predicted male sexual dysfunction, while religion and employment status were predictors of female sexual dysfunction.Conclusion: Sexual dysfunction is very common among patients with mental disorders, with higher rates in female participants. There is a need for clinicians to consider routine screening for sexual dysfunction in psychiatric outpatients with a view of providing psychosocial interventions to improve patient’s quality of life.

Sexual dysfunction and associated factors in Thai patients with psychiatric disorders

“…Sexual dysfunction was slightly more prevalent in female than in male patients, consistent with findings from a previous study. 15 However, the same study showed a greater prevalence of sexual dysfunction for both sexes (male 84.7%, female 95.7%), compared with our findings (male 47.3%, female 53.3%). Sexual dysfunction has ranged widely in prevalence (16.8%–70.0%) based on the methods for diagnosing sexual dysfunction used in each study or population with specific mental disorders.…”

Beyond antipsychotics: the role of medication and nonmedication factors in female sexual dysfunctions in schizophrenia

“…Disturbances in sexual functioning may be associated with social, psychological and physical problems in both men and women (Dunn et al , 1999), and may especially play a role in the dissatisfaction that couples experience in their marital life (Rahmani et al , 2012). Unfortunately, sexual dysfunctions are very common, with rates ranging between 30 and 81% in the general population, and between 40 and 96% in patients with mental health problems (Adesola and Oladeji, 2021).…”

“…In patients with schizophrenia, it is estimated that between 40 and 90% of patients have one or more types of sexual dysfunction (Adesola and Oladeji, 2021). There are a number of reasons why the risk is high in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, including the side effects of antipsychotic medications as well as factors related to the illness such as the age of onset, the severity of psychotic symptoms, the presence of negative and depressive symptoms (Fond et al , 2019); co-morbid substance use (Mallet et al , 2017); poor lifestyle habits such as reduced physical activity and unhealthy diets and the presence of co-morbid physical illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity (Godin et al , 2015).…”

Prevalence and correlates of sexual dysfunction among patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder on antipsyhotic medications in Maiduguri, Northeastern Nigeria

“…2 In general, most studies on sexual dysfunction among patients with schizophrenia found age, gender, marital status, quality of marital relationship, employment status, use of first-generation antipsychotics such as haloperidol, medication dosage, medication side effects (EPS & autonomic side effects), comorbid medical conditions and presence of psychopathology as correlates of sexual dysfunction. 5,8,23,24 Of the few available studies on prevalence and correlates of sexual dysfunction among patients on antipsychotic medications conducted in Nigeria, no study to our knowledge has explored the relationship between sexual dysfunction and specific typical or atypical antipsychotic medications like haloperidol and risperidone. [23][24][25][26] Likewise, to our knowledge no study in Northeastern Nigeria has explored on the relationship between sexual dysfunction and prolactin level.…”

“…5,8,23,24 Of the few available studies on prevalence and correlates of sexual dysfunction among patients on antipsychotic medications conducted in Nigeria, no study to our knowledge has explored the relationship between sexual dysfunction and specific typical or atypical antipsychotic medications like haloperidol and risperidone. [23][24][25][26] Likewise, to our knowledge no study in Northeastern Nigeria has explored on the relationship between sexual dysfunction and prolactin level. Therefore, this study hopes to fill some of these gaps by providing more information on socio-clinical correlates of sexual dysfunction in northeastern Nigeria.…”