The Pattern of Help-Seeking Behavior Among Patients With Sexual Dysfunctions Attending in Psychiatry Outpatient Department in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Bangladesh

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Identifying the possible pattern of help-seeking can explain the gap between care need and actual use of care. Aim: To know the patterns of help-seeking behavior among patients with sexual dysfunction in the context of a developing country. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, qualitative study using criterion sampling among the diagnosed patients of sexual dysfunction attending the psychiatry outpatient department. Based on data saturation, 18 in-depth interviews were done. For method triangulation, 1 key informant interview, 1 informal interview, and 1 focus group discussion were performed. Data were analyzed manually using the thematic analysis method. Main Outcome Measure: Using an interview guideline, face to face interview was performed and the participants reported their pattern of help-seeking regarding their sexual problems. Results: The majority of the participants were male, within 20–35 years of age range, literate, and from an urban background. Premature ejaculation and female sexual interest/arousal disorder were the most common disorders. After the identification of the problems, help-seeking was done mostly from close and intimate relationships, although a few of the participants choose a self-search strategy. The complementary and alternative medicine approach was mostly used where traditional healers played a major role. The biomedical approach was the last to seek help and most of the participants visited the dermatology and venereology department. Self-help techniques and internet use were found as emerging ways to seek help. Conclusion: Sex education is necessary to improve general awareness because surrounding people were found as the primary source of information. Acharjee P, Mullick MSI. The Pattern of Help-Seeking Behavior Among Patients With Sexual Dysfunctions Attending in Psychiatry Outpatient Department in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Bangladesh. Sex Med 2021;9:100381