title: Sexual dysfunction among men in secondary care in southern India: Nature, prevalence, clinical features and explanatory models.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sexual dysfunction, common in general medical practice, is under-recognized and inadequately managed resulting in significant morbidity and reduction in quality of life. We examined the nature, prevalence, clinical features and explanatory models of illness among men with sexual dysfunction in a general healthcare setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  We recruited 270 consecutive men attending a general health clinic. Participants were evaluated using a structured interview. The International Index of Erectile Function-5, the Chinese Index of Premature Ejaculation-5, Short Explanatory Model Interview and the Revised Clinical Interview Schedule were used to assess sexual dysfunction, explanatory models and psychiatric morbidity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction were reported by 43.0% and 47.8% of men, respectively. The most common perceived causes were loss of semen due to masturbation and nocturnal emission. Popular treatments were herbal remedies and resources used were traditional healers. The factors associated with erectile dysfunction were diabetes mellitus, financial stress, past history of psychiatric treatment and common mental disorders such as depression and anxiety; those associated with premature ejaculation were common mental disorders, older age and financial debt. Sexual dysfunctions and concerns were under-diagnosed by physicians when compared to the research interview.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a need to recognize sexual problems and effectively manage them in general medical settings. The need for sex education in schools and through the mass media, to remove sexual misconceptions, cannot be under-emphasized.
authors: Christian Medical College, Vellore 632002, Tamil Nadu, India- Department of Psychiatry.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Thangadurai
authors: Christian Medical College, Vellore 632002, Tamil Nadu, India- Department of Psychiatry.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Gopalakrishnan
authors: Christian Medical College, Vellore 632002, Tamil Nadu, India- Department of Psychiatry.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Kuruvilla
authors: Christian Medical College, Vellore 632002, Tamil Nadu, India- Department of Psychiatry.
authors: K S
authors: KS
authors: Jacob
authors: Christian Medical College, Vellore 632002, Tamil Nadu, India- Department of Community Health.
authors: V J
authors: VJ
authors: Abraham
authors: Christian Medical College, Vellore 632002, Tamil Nadu, India- Department of Community Health.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Prasad
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000453:epidemiology*