Transforming sexual health services: A systematic review of India’s top interventions (2010-2023)

Abstract

Background: Healthcare decision-makers require clear,
evidence-based insights to effectively prioritize treatments
for sexual dysfunction. This study seeks to provide a
comparative analysis of the health benefits and costeffectiveness of different interventions, including both
medical and non-medical treatments, with a special focus on the Indian context.
Methods: This systematic review draws on ranking
frameworks from Indian health organizations like the
National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC) and the
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to prioritize
preventive healthcare services. Using data from 2010 to 2023,
we evaluated key interventions, including pharmacological
treatments, cognitive-behavioraltherapy (CBT), and lifestyle
changes, in the Indian context. Each intervention was scored
for clinical and cost-effectiveness on a 1 to 5 scale, with total
scores ranging from 2 to 10. To set administration priorities,
we compared these rankings with access and usage rates,
following recommendations from programs like the
National Health Mission (NHM) and the National AIDS
Control Organization (NACO).
Results: Pharmacological treatments, such as
Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5i), received high
effectiveness scores (8-10), but their availability was found to
be limited in low-income regions. CBT, with moderate-tohigh effectiveness (7-9), showed better cost-effectiveness in
these regions. Lifestyle modifications had lower
overall effectiveness but remain a crucial
complement to other interventions. Regional
disparities highlighted gaps in service delivery,
especially in resource-poor areas.
Conclusion
This review identifies the most valuable
interventions for treating sexual dysfunction and
provides a framework to guide healthcare
providers and policymakers in prioritizing actions
that improve sexual health outcomes, especially in
underserved populations