Sexual dysfunction in Nigerian stroke survivors

AO Akinpelu, AA Osose, AC Odole, NA Odunaiya

Abstract

Background: Over three-quarters of stroke survivors experience disruption of sexual functioning. Studies reporting poststroke sexual function of Nigerian patients are few.

Objectives: This survey reports sexual dysfunction in Nigerian stroke survivors, and determines the influence of sociodemographic, clinical and psychological factors on the dysfunction.

Methods: Participants were 77 stroke survivors (60 males; 17 females) recruited consecutively from a teaching hospital. Participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory, Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale and post-stroke sexual function questionnaire. Participants’ motor ability was rated on the Modified Motor Assessment Scale. Data were analysed using Chi square test and Mann-Whitney U test (alpha level set at 0.05).

Results: Participants were aged 55.2±10.8 (28-79) years. Most (94.8%) participants reported a dysfunction in sexual function. Decline in libido and coital frequency were reported by >70% and in erection, ejaculation and orgasm by >60% of participants. Participants’ with erectile dysfunction were significantly older than those without (U=267.0; p=0.02). Depression, quality of life, willingness to have sex, general attitude to sex and ability to express sexual feelings had significant influence on sexual dysfunction reported by participants (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that sexual dysfunction is common  among Nigerian stroke survivors and it is mostly associated with  psychological factors.

Keywords: Stroke-Survivors, Sexual dysfunction, Psychological factors, Quality of life