Effects of written information material on help-seeking behavior in patients with erectile dysfunction: a longitudinal study.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Neither men with erectile dysfunction (ED) nor their physicians are willing to discuss sexual problem sufficiently. Written information material could facilitate a dialogue and encourage men to seek treatment. AIM: The central task of this article was to determine the effectiveness and acceptance of patient information material for sexual dysfunction. METHODS: Through an information campaign, men received informational material. Eight thousand men also received a first survey, which asked about the intention to seek treatment and to discuss the sexual problem with a physician or partner. A second follow-up questionnaire, 3-6 months after the first one, asked for the implementation of these intentions. Descriptive and regression-based analyses were applied. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Help-seeking behavior, subjective assessment of change in disease severity and partnership quality, satisfaction. RESULTS: Four hundred forty-three men participated in both surveys. Nearly 90% of them became active after reading the information material. More than half talked with their partner (57.8%) and a physician (65%), and one-third sought treatment (31.8%). Especially discussing the problem with the partner and receiving treatment improved erectile functioning and led to an increase in the quality of partnership (P

Bibliografische Daten

OriginalspracheDeutsch
Aufsatznummer2
ISSN1743-6095
StatusVeröffentlicht - 2008
pubmed 18047486