Exploring Sexual Health Communication Challenges and Opportunities Between Men Living with Diabetes and Healthcare Providers in Five Selected Districts in Ghana

Background: Diabetes mellitus remains a major global health concern with profound biomedical and psychosocial implications. In Ghana, the intersection between diabetes and sexual health is poorly understood and rarely discussed within clinical settings, largely due to sociocultural taboos and limited provider competence. This study explored the lived experiences of male diabetes patients regarding sexual health and examined the barriers and facilitators to sexual health communication between patients and healthcare providers. Methods: A phenomenological and exploratory qualitative design was adopted, involving in-depth interviews with 26 male diabetes patients and 14 healthcare providers across five hospitals in four regions of Ghana. Participants were purposively selected, and data collection continued until thematic saturation was reached. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using conventional qualitative content analysis with the aid ATLAS.ti 7.5.7 software. Results: Sexual health communication between healthcare providers and male diabetes patients was limited by shyness, cultural taboos, and fear of judgment. Patients rarely disclosed sexual concerns unless in a calm, private, and supportive environment. Many male patients preferred discussing sexual issues with male providers and avoided such conversations with female staff. Healthcare providers reported lacking the skills and confidence to initiate sexual health discussions, leaving patients to self-manage sexual dysfunction through ineffective herbal and spiritual remedies. These gaps contributed to delayed care-seeking, marital strain, and worsening diabetes-related sexual dysfunction. Conclusion: The study reveals a significant communication gap between diabetes patients and healthcare providers concerning sexual health. Addressing this requires culturally sensitive training for healthcare workers, improved privacy in consultation settings, and patient-centered communication strategies that normalize sexual health discussions within diabetes care. Integrating sexual health into routine diabetes management will not only enhance patient-provider trust but also improve overall health outcomes and quality of life for individuals living with diabetes.