Sexual dysfunction in Nigerian stroke survivors.

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.