Introduction:
The aim of this psychosexual needs assessment was to investigate the prevalence and range of sexual problems; to understand the distress, causal attributions and functional impairment associated with these; and to explore patients’ service-related needs, in a sample of patients attending sexual health clinics in East .
Methods:
Questionnaires were disseminated to patients attending five sexual health clinics in London, over a one week period.  Nine hundred and thirty four patients responded to the questionnaire.  Patients were aged 29.4 years (SD=8.8) and predominantly female (61.4%).
Results:
31.1% of patients indicated they were experiencing a sexual problem.  Premature ejaculation, delayed ejaculation, or anorgasmia were the most prevalent problems reported (13.5%).  Female and male patients did not differ in their report of overall sexual problems (32.5% and 28.6%, respectively). However more women reported sexual pain (14.8%, X2=11.3,p=.001) whereas male patients reported more difficulties with hypersexuality (9.5%, X2=25.2,p<.001).  The majority of sexual problems had started within the past year.  However orgasm, chemsex and hypersexuality difficulties were longer-standing (>1year).  Distress associated with sexual problems was reported by 75-91.4% of patients.  Emotional reasons were attributed as the most likely cause of sexual problems (21.1%).  Male patients reported higher functional impairment (U=1862.0, z=2.3, p=.02). Patients were interested in a range of interventions, and expressed preference to be supported in a sexual health clinic (75.3%).
Discussion:
The findings present implications for the provision of psychosexual services in sexual health clinics.

A Psychosexual Needs Assessment of Patients Attending Five London Sexual Health Clinics

The Joint Annual Conference of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV & the Society for the Study of Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Ireland