Post-Stroke Sexual Disorders and Its Real-Life Experience within Couples in Brazzaville ()
Author(s)
Josué Euberma Diatewa1,2*,
Prince Eliot Galiéni Sounga Banzouzi2,3,
Ghislain Armel Mpandzou1,2,
Dinah Happhia Boubayi Motoula Latou1,2,
Gabrielle-Gracia Ontsira1,
Karen L. Obondzo Aloba1,
Anani Wanscels Sévérin Odzebe2,4,
Paul Macaire Ossou-Nguiet1,2
Affiliation(s)
1Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Brazzaville, Brazzaville, Congo.
2Faculty of Health Sciences, University Marien Ngouabi, Brazzaville, Congo.
3Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Loandjili, Pointe Noire, Congo.
4Department of Urology, University Hospital of Brazzaville, Brazzaville, Congo.
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.
Share and Cite:
Diatewa, J. , Banzouzi, P. , Mpandzou, G. , Latou, D. , Ontsira, G. , Aloba, K. , Odzebe, A. and Ossou-Nguiet, P. (2021) Post-Stroke Sexual Disorders and Its Real-Life Experience within Couples in Brazzaville.
World Journal of Neuroscience,
11, 22-33. doi:
10.4236/wjns.2021.111004.