Pattern of Erectile Dysfunction and Associated Factors among Primary Care Clinic Attendees in South-west Nigeria

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) impairs sexual fulfilment and may predispose to disruption in relationships and family life. The condition appears under-recognized among primary care patients in this clime resulting in missed opportunities for prompt intervention.

Aims: This study sought to ascertain how common and the extent of recognition of ED among men attending a Family Medicine clinic in south-west Nigeria.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study of 414 men recruited by simple random sampling. Data was obtained using a questionnaire which incorporated the 6-item erectile function domain of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scale. The height, weight, body mass index, blood pressure and blood glucose were measured. Factors associated with ED were identified with the use of Pearson Chi square test and significant factors were subjected to multivariate logistic regression to determine the independent predictors of ED.

Results: The result showed that 168 (40.6%) had erectile dysfunction. The associated factors include age, hypertension, diabetes, the use of anti-hypertensives, smoking, alcohol consumption and low level of physical activity. A significant proportion (42.3%) of the men with ED had never raised the issue with their primary care physician. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that increasing age, diabetes and alcohol use were independent predictors of ED.

Conclusion: ED is relatively common among adult men in the study setting and a significant proportion of them were reluctant to raise the issue with their health care provider. Routine sexual evaluation of men with identified risk factors should be considered.