@article{31648,
  keywords = {leprosy, Marital relationships, Sexual relationships, Married men, Nepal, Stigma},
  author = {Meis M and Mieras L and Essink D and Bastola N and van Brakel WH and Dhakal K},
  title = {The impact of leprosy on marital and sexual relationships of married Nepali men.},
  abstract = {<p><em>Introduction </em>Leprosy has a negative impact on the physical state of a person as well as social and psychological consequences. Because of related disabilities and stigmatization, people with leprosy experience participation restrictions and exclusion in marital and sexual relationships. <em>Objective </em>To gain insight in the marital and sexual relationships of married Nepali men with leprosy, by comparing their experiences regarding marital and sexual relationships with men without leprosy with and without impairments. <em>Methods </em>This research had a qualitative design using thirty semi-structured interviews and two focus group discussions. Data analysis was done using NVivo. <em>Results </em>The majority of the men indicated they were satisfied with their marital and sexual relationship. The negative impact on their marital lives were related to physical limitations and stigmatization from family-in-law or community due to leprosy and disabilities. A decrease in sexual drive and desire, physical limitations and the wife being uneducated about leprosy caused difficulties in sexual relationships of men with leprosy. <em>Conclusions </em>Men with leprosy or disabilities face more problems in their marital relationship than men without leprosy and disabilities. Furthermore, there was a severe lack of knowledge on leprosy and sexual education.</p>
},
  year = {2016},
  journal = {Leprosy review},
  language = {eng},
}