Impact of Pharmacotherapy on Sexual Function of Persons with Schizophrenia

Abstract

Schizophrenia is one among the most serious mental illnesses. Sexual dysfunction is commonly found associated with schizophrenia.  Few studies have tried to identify the factors contributing to this issue. Pharmacotherapy for schizophrenia has an impact on sexual function of patients with schizophrenia. However, this is an area which is less explored. The current study tries to find out the impact of pharmacotherapy on sexual function of persons with schizophrenia in both positive symptoms subtype and negative symptoms subtype, before, after one month and after three months of pharmacotherapy. Quantitative approach with experimental design was selected to conduct the current study. The participants comprised of 60 male patients, 36 of them with positive symptoms subtype and 24 with negative symptoms subtype were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected by administering Personal data sheet, Structured Clinical Interview for DSM – IV, Axis I disorder – SCID, Structured Clinical Interview – Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (SCI – PANNS) and Brief Sexual Function Inventory (BSFI).  The tools were administered to the same patients during first visit, after one month and after three months visits. Collected data were analysed using SPSS. The result reveal that there is significant difference in sexual functions before pharmacotherapy, after one month and after three months of pharmacotherapy in patients with both positive and negative symptoms of Schizophrenia.