Abstract:
Background: Sexual dysfunction is a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by significant clinical disturbances in a person's ability to respond to or feel sexual pleasure and is highly prevalent among patients with schizophrenia. Despite this widespread problem, little is known about sexual dysfunction among patients with schizophrenia in Ethiopia setting.
Objectives: To assess the prevalence of sexual dysfunction and associated factors among patients with schizophrenia who have follow-up visit at Jimma Medical Center, Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia, 2022.
Method: Hospital-based cross-sectional study design was employed using mixed study approach from September 22-November 22 at JMC, Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia, 2022. Quantitative data were collected by interviewer administered structured questionnaire. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select 400 samples. Sexual Dysfunction was measured using change in sexual functioning questionnaire (CSFQ-14). Logistic regression model was used to determine the association between the outcome and independent variables, and the 95% CI odds ratio and p-value < 0.05 were used to determine the strength of the association between outcome variables and explanatory variables. For the qualitative study, data were collected by in-depth interviews. Finally, the result was triangulated and narrated by supported with in-depth interview findings.
Results: A total of 393 participants were interviewed with a response rate of 98.25%. The mean age of study participants was 35.5 years with SD ± 10.30. Majority of the respondents, 252 (64.1%) were males. The estimated prevalence of Sexual dysfunction was 66.9% (95% CI: 62%, 71.6%). Having an older age (AOR 7.10; 95% CI: 2.397, 21.038), being single (AOR 2.16; 95% CI: 1.073, 4.366), divorced or wideowed, or separated (AOR 3.76; 95% CI: 1.718, 8.213), longer duration of the illness (AOR 5.27; 95% CI: 2.456, 11.326), being depressed (AOR 3.21; 95% CI: 1.568, 6.567), having negative symptoms (PANSS negative) (AOR 3.089; 95% CI: 1.677, 5.692), risperidone use (AOR 3.45; 95% CI: 1.585, 7.502), and having poor quality of life (AOR 3.81; CI:2.116, 6.862) became significantly associated with Sexual dysfunction in this study, and substantiated by qualitative analysis..
Conclusion and recommendation: In the current study, 2/3 of the population suffer from Sexual dysfunction which was highly prevalent. Having an older age, single, divorced or widowed, or separated, longer duration of the illness, negative symptoms, depression, Risperidone use, and poor quality of life became a significant predictors of sexual dysfunction, and was supported by in-depth interview findings. So considering this, psychiatry professionals and mental health specialists should be conscious to sexual dysfunction during evaluation and treatment of patients with Schizophrenia.
