Influence of Psycho-Demographic Factors on Sexual Dysfunction among People Living with Disabilities

Abstract

Background: Nigeria has roughly 12 million citizens living with disabilities. Prevalent social stigmas often discriminate against their social, physical and psychological well-being which directly or indirectly affects their sexual life. This study aimed to assess the influence of psycho-demographic factors on the sexual life of people living with disabilities.
 Methods: The study was carried out among 79 participants, 18 years old and above at the Rehabilitation Centre Moniya. The study was ex post facto research study. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used for the study. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.
 Results: Young subjects and male participants had higher mean scores (x=21.94) on the sexual dysfunction scale than female participants. Participants living with physical disability had higher means (x=22.21) on the sexual dysfunction scale than participants with hearing impairment. Age, gender, type of disability and religion statistically predicted sexual dysfunction among participants. Also, self-esteem and self-efficacy influence sexual dysfunction among participants living with physical disability and participants living with hearing impairment.
 Conclusion: Age, gender and nature of disability influence the sexual life of people living with disabilities. Moreso, sexual dysfunction reduces with an increase in self-esteem and self-efficacy. It is therefore recommended that attention is paid to individuals living with disabilities in in order to improve the quality of the sexual aspect of their lives and their psychological wellbeing.