Disorders Of Sexual Preference Among Secondary School Teachers In Ilorin, Nigeria

Background: In Nigeria, there is a dearth of data on Disorders of Sexual Preference (DSP), which is due to the unwillingness by most people to volunteer information on such issues. In spite of this, anecdotal evidence suggests strongly that DSP exist in Nigeria. Aims and objectives: This study was aimed at determining the prevalence and pattern of DSP in a sample of teachers in Ilorin, Nigeria. Method: Using a stratified random sampling method, all eligible and consenting respondents were interviewed. A pilot-tested, self-administered questionnaire containing items on sociodemographic and clinical variables and the General Health Questionnaire-30 (GHQ-30) were used for the interview. Results: From a sampling frame of 2,176 teachers, 450 teachers were interviewed but only 408 responses were analyzable. Eighty-nine respondents had ICD-10 compatible DSP giving a combined prevalence rate of 21.8%. The commonest disorder was voyeurism (9.6%) while the least common were paedophilia (0.98%), and exhibitionism (0.74%). Generally, DSP were significantly associated with increased age, male gender, and psychiatric caseness (GHQ score of 4 and above). Conclusion: DSP may not be as rare in Nigeria as currently perceived. Efforts should therefore be made to increase their level of recognition by the public and medical personnel and to encourage those affected to access available help in appropriate treatment facilities. Keywords : Sexual Preference, Disorders, Secondary School Teachers, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry Vol. 6 (1) 2008: pp. 26-30