USE OF APHRODISIACS AND PERCEIVED HEALTH RISKS AMONG WOMEN ATTENDING THE GYNAECOLOGY CLINIC IN LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, LAGOS, NIGERIA

Abstract

From time immemorial, humans have been known to use aphrodisiac substances to arouse sexual instinct or increase sexual desire and increase pleasure and performance. Women experience significantly more sexual dysfunction than men and may find it difficult to ask for professional help. This study will provide information relating to the use of aphrodisiac by women and allow women make informed decision about their sexuality. This study was designed to investigate the use of aphrodisiacs and perceived health risks among women attending the gynaecology clinic in Lagos State University teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria. The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out among a total of 220 randomly selected women of reproductive age attending the gynaecology clinic at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital. Data were collected using validated semi-structured, self administered questionnaire. A 16-point knowledge scale was used to assess the knowledge of aphrodisiac; knowledge score of ≥12 was rated good, ≥9˂12 was rated fair and ˂9 was rated poor knowledge. Also, a 25-point perception scale was used to determine perceived health risk of respondents on aphrodisiacs; perception score of ≤15 was rated poor, ˃15 was rated good perception towards the health risk associated with the use of aphrodisiacs. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics at p≤ 0.05 as the level of significance. Respondents mean age was 32.4±7.9 years. Many (59.5%) of the respondents were married, (64.1%) were Christians and (35.0%) were Muslims. For those who were married, 75.5% were monogamous while 24.5% were polygamous. The prevalence use of aphrodisiac substance among the 220 respondents was 16.8%. Of all the respondents, (55.9%) felt sexually aroused after use of aphrodisiac substance. Majority (67.7%) had poor knowledge, (9.6%) had fair knowledge and (22.7%) had good knowledge score on aphrodisiac substance. Out of the 50 participants who had good knowledge, 28.3% of them are between the ages of 20-29. This means the younger generation is more aware about sexual stimulants and this was reflected in the high use recorded among same group. Majority (81.8%) of the respondents had poor perception while only 18.2% had good perception. There was a significant difference between use of aphrodisiac and perception of health risk related to the use. There was a significant difference between level of knowledge and perception of health risk related to the use of aphrodisiac. The prevalence on use of aphrodisiacs amongst women was found to be very lowand participants’ perception of health risks associated with the use of aphrodisiac was recorded in this study to be poor. It is therefore recommended that women undergo thorough medical examination if need be before trying out any form of aphrodisiac to prevent predisposition to health risks