Estimate the burden of sexual dysfunction due to non-communicable diseases in Ethiopia: Systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Untreated sexual dysfunction is a serious sexual problem that adversely affects the quality of life. Body of evidence indicates non-communicable diseases are common comorbid conditions associated with sexual dysfunction. Therefore, this review was aimed to synthesize and estimate the burden of sexual dysfunction and its determinant factors among patients with non-communicable diseases in Ethiopia. METHODS: Cross-sectional studies were systematically searched using PubMed, Google Scholar, African Journals Online, Cochran Library, Scopus database, and gray literature. Data were extracted using a standardized Joanna Briggs Institute form. The I2 statistic was used to check heterogeneity across the included studies. A funnel plot and Egger's regression test were used to check the presence of publication bias. Sensitivity analysis was deployed to check the effect of a single study on the overall estimation. All statistical analyses were done using STATA version 11.0 software. RESULT: A total of six studies with 2,434 study participants was included. The estimated pooled sexual dysfunction was 68.04% (95% CI: 56.41-79.67). Based on the subgroup analysis, the highest prevalence of sexual dysfunction was reported among patients with mental related illness, 73.02% (95% CI: 54.00-92.03). CONCLUSION: In this review, nearly seven out of ten patients with chronic illness have sexual dysfunction, which implies sexual dysfunction was highly prevalent among non-communicable patients. Therefore, health care providers should screen and manage sexual dysfunction during follow-up for improving patient quality of life and sexual reproductive health satisfaction.