Sexual dysfunction in Tunisian patients living with HIV

Summary Introduction Infection with HIV remains a major global health priority. It is a source of physical and psychological pain as well as relational difficulties and deterioration of sexual health. The objectives of our study were to assess the different sexual dysfunctions of Tunisian patients living with HIV and to look for a link between these dysfunctions and socio- and demographic characteristics, the course of infection, the presence of depression and the quality of self-esteem. Patients and methods A descriptive and comparative cross-sectional study was conducted about 74 Tunisian patients suffering from HIV infection. We have used a semi-structured interview and three scales: the Rosenberg scale to determine the quality of self-esteem, the Hamilton scale for the assessment of depression, the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15) for men and the female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) to assess sexual function in women. Results For men, we noticed a severe erectile dysfunction in 33.3% of cases, a severe disorder of the orgasm in the same percentage and a slight to severe disorder of desire in 85.7% of cases. The severity of male sexual dysfunction was related to depression and alcohol consumption. Majority of women ( n  = 19; 59.4%) had total sexual abstinence since the announcement of the HIV infection. Only the geographical origin and the low level of education influenced significantly female sexual function. Depression had no effect on sexual function of these female patients. Conclusion Sexual lives of Tunisians living with HIV are worsened. Collaboration between infectious disease doctors and sex therapists is necessary to improve the quality of sexual life of these patients.