Health-Seeking Behavior for Erectile Dysfunction in Methadone Maintenance Treatment Patients

• Main Authors: Fitri Fareez Ramli, Ahmad Nazrun Shuid, Rashidi Mohamed Pakri Mohamed, Tg Mohd Ikhwan Tg Abu Bakar Sidik, Isa Naina Mohamed
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-11-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: health-seeking behavior; methadone; erectile dysfunction
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/21/4249

<i>Background</i>: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is commonly associated with methadone usage. However, little data is known regarding the health-seeking behavior for ED in the methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) population. This study aimed to determine the health-seeking behavior of MMT patients with ED who perceived themselves as having ED. We aimed to assess the attitudes and health-seeking behavior, the effectiveness of the treatment and the factors associated with treatment-seeking behavior. <i>Methods</i>: This was an observational questionnaire-based study. Patients were first screened for ED (<i>n</i> = 154) using the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5). Fifty patients with ED were evaluated for health-seeking behavior for ED. <i>Results</i>: More than half of the patients who thought they had ED (78%) believed their sex life was affected. Most patients (48%) did not seek any information regarding ED. Education level (<i>p</i> = 0.017) and marital status (<i>p</i> = 0.008) were predictive factors of health-seeking behavior. <i>Conclusions</i>: The health-seeking rate among MMT patients with ED needs to be improved. Measures to increase awareness of ED in MMT patients should be taken to overcome the barrier to health-seeking behavior. Health practitioners should take action to screen ED in this population to increase the detection rate and offer appropriate management according to the patients&#8217; needs.