Epidemiology of sexual dysfunctions in Kenya: The case of patients seen at the sexology clinic, Nairobi Kenya

Abstract

Background: The health system is least prepared to manage sexual dysfunctions and lacks trained professionals who can adequately  assess and manage individuals with sexual dysfunctions because the need for the service has not been documented. This is because  routine data is not collected on sexual dysfunctions. This study aimedto outline thedistribution of sexual dysfunctions among patients  seeking health services in the specialized sexual medicine clinic in Nairobi (Sexology Clinic).

Methods: Records of all patients seen at the clinic for a period of 12 months were analysed. A total of 396 patient files were reviewed (362  males and 34 females) by use of a standard tool. Socio- demographic and medical details of patients were analysed. Data was  entered in SPSS and summarized using tables and figures. Disease associations to socio-demographic characteristics were analysed.  Classification of sexual disorders was done using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-11.

Results: The most prevalent sexual  disorders in both genders were: sexual arousal disorders (76.4%), sexualdesireproblems (16.42%), andorgasmicdisorders  (3.6%).Diseasedistribution was found to be dependent on patient age and sex. Ethnicity, religion and profession did not affect disease  distribution.

Conclusion: The distribution of sexual dysfunctions seen in Nairobi were found to be similar to those seen in other  populations.

Recommendation: Health promotion and treatment programs for sexual dysfunction should be developed to mirror those  in more liberal countries since sexual medicine needs are the same. The health system should collect routine sexual health data to help  with further planning going forward.