Affiliations 

  • 1 SeniorLecturer, Discipline of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, School of Ph’ Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, PENANG, Malaysia, Email: azmihassali@usm.my
  • 2 Lecturer, Discipline of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, PENANG, Malaysia
  • 3 Postgraduate Student, Discipline of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, PENANG, Malaysia
  • 4 Research Officer, Discipline of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, PENANG, Malaysia

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the knowledge and perceptions of diabetics and non-diabetics at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) main campus towards erectile dysfunction (ED). A cross-sectional survey using 40 items questionnaire was conducted in USM main Campus and at the Diabetic Clinic in the main campus. By the end of the study period a total of 200 individuals were surveyed, 52 of them were diabetics and the rest were non-diabetics. The mean total knowledge score obtained by diabetics was significantly higher, (63.7% of the maximum possible total knowledge score) than non-diabetics score (53.8 % of the maximum possible total knowledge score), P=0.002. Diabetics scored significantly lower regarding perception towards sexual activity, (65.1% of the maximum possible score) than non diabetics (70% of the maximum possible score), P=0.012. Diabetic patients scored none significantly higher scores regarding perception towards effect of ED on quality of life, (61.3% of the maximum possible score) compared with non-diabetics (59.7 % of the maximum possible score) P=0.332. Overall, the finding of this study suggested that health care professionals should be more proactive in disseminating health information about ED to the public in order to increase their knowledge and awareness on the disease.