Assessment of Sexual Dysfunction Symptoms in Female Drug Users: Standardized vs. Unstandardized Methods

ABSTRACT

Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate whether there is a difference in the identified prevalence between the assessment of symptoms of sexual dysfunction in female drug users using a standardized scale and by means of a nonstandardized set of questions about sexual dysfunctions. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with two groups of substance-dependent women using the Drug Abuse Screening Test, the Short Alcohol Dependence Data questionnaire, the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence for the evaluation of the severity of dependence, and the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale. Findings: In both groups, the severity of dependence and the prevalence of symptoms of sexual dysfunctions in women were similar. Conclusion: The use of standardized and nonstandardized instruments to assess sexual dysfunction symptoms is an essential resource for the provision of good-quality care to this clientele.

KEYWORDS:

• Sexual dysfunction
• substance-related disorders
• women
• symptom assessment

Acknowledgment

We are sincerely grateful to the inpatient care staff of the Alcohol and Drugs Research Unit of the Federal University of São Paulo for their attention and cooperation in this project.

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no potential conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Alessandra Diehl

Alessandra Diehl, Psychiatrist with training in Clinical Research (Invitare), Specialization in Chemical Dependency (UNIFESP) and Human Sexuality (USP). Master of Science UNIFESP. PhD student at the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP)/Department of Psychiatry and postgraduate student in Sex Education (UNISAL 2014–2015). Training Course in Sexual and Reproductive Health at the Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research (2014). She has experience with clinical trials and in teaching, research and treatments for addiction and sexuality. Current secretary of the Brazilian Association of Studies on Alcohol and other Drugs (ABEAD) management from 2013 to 2015, co-coordinator and Professor of the Sexual Health and Sexuality course for graduate of the Department of Psychiatry of UNIFESP and visiting professor of the Brazilian Centre of Postgraduate (CENBRAP). Belongs to the professional team of the Psychiatry Institute Américo Bairral.

G. Hussein Rassool

G. Hussein Rassool has a PhD in Psychology and Education (University of London), MSc in Health Education and a BA in Psychology. He is the Head of Department, Islamic Online University and Clinical Consultant/Executive Director of the Sakina Counselling Institute & Research. He is currently working as an academic advisor, lecturer in psychology, and independent consultant on addiction and mental health. He also works part-time as an Islamic psychotherapist. He is an international consultant and facilitator with proven expertise in mental health and addiction. Dr. G. Hussein Rassool has been a visiting professor of psychology of addiction and mental health at the University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil. His previous experience was as a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Addictive Behaviour & Psychological Medicine, St. George's Hospital Medical School (University of London), England, where he developed many unique academic programmes. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Public Health and served as News Editor/Editorial Board Member of international journals in the UK, USA and Brazil. He is the author/editor of eight books and has published over 100 papers and reviews. His published books include Addictive Behaviours: Theory & Clinical Practice, Alcohol and Drug Misuse (Palgrave Macmillan); Dual Diagnosis (Blackwell-Wiley); Substance Use and Misuse (Routledge); and Cultural Competence in Caring for Muslim Patients (Palgrave Macmillan). His forthcoming publications include Health Psychology from an Islamic Perspective (International Islamic Publishing House, Riyadh publications, 2015); and Islamic Counselling: An Introduction to the Theory & Practice (Taylor & Francis, September 2015).

Manoel Antônio dos Santos

Manoel Antônio dos Santos, Psychologist from the University of São Paulo (1986), MA in Clinical Psychology – University of São Paulo (1992), doctorate in Clinical Psychology – University of São Paulo (1996) and Associate Professor – University of São Paulo, campus of Ribeirão Preto (USP, Brazil). He is currently working as Associate Professor of Department of Psychology at the Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil. He is Chief of Department of Psychology and leader of the Teaching and Research Laboratory in Health Psychology and Editor-in-Chief of Paidéia (Ribeirão Preto) Journal. He is Research-Fellowship at the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq, Brazil).

Sandra Cristina Pillon

Sandra Cristina Pillon, Registered Nurse. Specialization in Chemical Dependency (UNIFESP). PhD in Science in the Psychiatry and Medical Psychology Programme (UNIFESP). Postdoctoral at the University of Alberta in Canada. Associate Professor in 2008 of the EERP USP. She is currently Professor at the Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing – University of São Paulo. Vice-Coordinator of the Postgraduate Programme in Psychiatric Nursing (EERP USP). Research Productivity Fellowship at the CNPq. Researcher of FAPESP and CNPq. Leader of Research Group GRUPAD (CNPq/USP) and member of INPAD (CNPq/UNIFESP). Nursing specialist with emphasis on drug use and abuse. In her professional activities she has interacted with 159 researchers in co-authorship of scientific papers, with the most common topics being: Drugs, Alcohol, Use & Dependency, AUDIT, Prevention, Treatment, Nursing, Nurses and Students.

Ronaldo Laranjeira

Ronaldo Laranjeira Professor, Psychiatrist. Department of Psychiatry, Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Brazil. PhD in Psychiatry (University of London). Coordinator of the National Institute of Public Policy for Alcohol and Other Drugs (INPAD). In 2014 awarded Griffith Edwards Award of the International Society of Addiction Journal Editors, in recognition for acting as a clinician, educator and implementer of public policies on alcohol and drugs.