TITLE:
Post-Stroke Sexual Disorders and Its Real-Life Experience within Couples in Brazzaville
AUTHORS:
Josué Euberma Diatewa, Prince Eliot Galiéni Sounga Banzouzi, Ghislain Armel Mpandzou, Dinah Happhia Boubayi Motoula Latou, Gabrielle-Gracia Ontsira, Karen L. Obondzo Aloba, Anani Wanscels Sévérin Odzebe, Paul Macaire Ossou-Nguiet
KEYWORDS:
Post-Stroke, Sexual Disorders, Brazzaville
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Neuroscience,
Vol.11 No.1,
February
25,
2021
ABSTRACT: Background: Post-stroke sequelae can have repercussions on the sexual life and
relational life of patients and their partners. Objectives: To determine
the frequencies of sexual disorders after a first stroke event; to identify the
factors associated with sexual disorders; to explore the real-life experience
of sexual disorders within couples. Methods: It was an analytical
cross-sectional study, conducted on patients followed up for a first stroke and
their partners. It was carried out at public and private hospitals in
Brazzaville, Congo, during the period of patient follow-up, from May to
September 2019 (5 months). The Female Sexual Function Index, International
Index of Erectile Function 5 and interviews were used to describe sexual aspects. The real-life experience of
couples was explored using standardized and pre-established questionnaires. Results: Of the 36 patients who had taken up again sexual intercourse after stroke, 29
(80.6%) were men. Among the post-stroke sexual disorders, erectile dysfunction
(53.2%) and ejaculatory dysfunction (40.4%) were the most frequent in men. Decrease of sexual desire was predominant in women (100%). Factors associated with erectile
dysfunction were sleep disorder (p = 0.007) and mean sleep duration per night
(p = 0.01). Lack of verbal and non-verbal communication of sexual problems and
psychological effects was noted in 77.8% of patients and 60% of their partners.
The most frequent psychological effects were: in patients, frustration (52.8%), attitude of person decreased (50%) and
sadness (41.7%); in partners, attitude of
carer (86.7%). Conclusion: Post-stroke sexual disorders are frequent in
our context. Sleep disorders and mean sleep duration per night, psychological
factors seem to have a negative impact on the sexual life and relational life of stroke patients and their partners. It
is important to improve the sex management of couples.