Prevalence and Predictors of Sexual Dysfunction among Cancer Patients at Lagos University Teaching Hospital Cancer Centre, Nigeria: A Mixed-Methods Study
Eben A. Aje, Anthonia Sowunmi, Chidi Agbakwuru, Ola Isaac, Andero Temitope, Muhammad Habeebu, Bukola Oshikanlu, Maryam Bashir, Adewumi AlabiAbstract
Background:
Cancer treatment causes significant sexual dysfunction, yet this complication remains under-recognised in Nigerian oncology settings. This study assessed the prevalence, predictors and lived experiences of treatment-related sexual dysfunction among patients attending a tertiary cancer centre in Lagos, Nigeria.
Materials and Methods:
A concurrent mixed-methods design was employed. The quantitative component enrolled 330 adult cancer patients (64.8% female; mean age: 54.2 years) receiving active treatment at the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority-Lagos University Teaching Hospital Cancer Centre between September 2024 and August 2025. Sexual dysfunction was measured with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Sexual Health 22-item. Logistic regression identified treatment-specific predictors. For the qualitative component, in-depth interviews were conducted with 30 purposively selected participants until data saturation; transcripts underwent thematic analysis using Braun and Clarke’s six-phase framework.
Results:
Vaginal dryness or dyspareunia was reported by 72% of female participants, and erectile dysfunction by 68% of male participants. Radiotherapy was the strongest predictor of sexual dysfunction (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 3.2; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.8–5.6;
Conclusion:
Sexual dysfunction is prevalent among Nigerian cancer patients and inadequately addressed in current practice. Culturally adapted, multidisciplinary interventions, including clinician training and structured sexual health screening, are urgently needed to integrate sexual health into cancer survivorship care in low-resource settings.