Clinical and demographic correlates of sexual dysfunction among male out-patients attending a tertiary hospital in Nigeria

Background: Sexual dysfunction is a frightening experience for many men and is therefore of a huge public health concern. This cross-sectional study aims to determine the clinical and demographic correlates of sexual dysfunction among male outpatients attending a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. Methods: One hundred and forty one male patients who attended the general outpatient clinic during the study period were interviewed. A questionnaire containing clinco-socio-demographic variables, the international Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ, version 12) were administered to the subjects. Results: The prevalence of sexual dysfunction was found to be 48.9%. Erectile dysfunction was the commonest form of sexual dysfunction. The mean age of the subjects was 38.9 years and a greater proportion of the subjects (33.2%) became ill when they were between 26-35years of age. Age group was found to be significantly associated with desire dysfunction (X2 = 9.504, df = 1, p<0.05), marital status with desire dysfunction (x2 = 13.09, df = 3, p<0.05) and intercourse dysfunction (X2 = 9.706, df = 1, p<0.05). Employment status was significantly associated with intercourse dysfunction (x2 = 0.932, df = 1, p<0.05) and overall dysfunction (x2 = 1.867, df = 3, p<0.05). The IIEF scores were inversely correlated to the GHQ scores. Conclusion: Sexual dysfunction is a huge unmet need of huge public health importance. It is a silent marker for psychological difficulties and disorders. The need for a greater focus by clinicians in identifying and addressing this challenge is imperative.