ORIGINAL: Erectile Dysfunction: Prevalence, and Pattern among Adult Male Patients Attending the General Out-Patient Clinic of Federal Medical Centre Bida, Nigeria

West African Journal of Medicine 2024 March; 41(3): 277-285 PMID: 38787782

Abstract

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is usually underestimated in many developing countries, Nigeria inclusive.

Introduction: ED is associated with stigma and poor health seeking behaviour and is assumed not to be life-threatening. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of ED and the pattern among adult males.

Methods: The study was a cross-sectional hospital-based survey among 360 sexually active men aged 18 years and above seen in the GOPC of Federal Medical Centre, Bida. Self-reported ED was obtained using a structured questionnaire administered by an interviewer. The prevalence and severity of ED was obtained using the International Index of Erectile Function-5 Questionnaire (IIEF-5).

Results: The age range of respondents was 22-75 years with a mean age of 42.06(11.35) years. The prevalence of ED was 56.4%, with 29.4% having mild ED, 24.2% had mild-moderate ED and 2.8% had moderate ED. The prevalence of ED was noted to increase with increasing age as ED was more prevalent (100%) among men aged 70-79 years and least common among the younger (20-29) subjects (30.9%). Most of the respondents 198 (54.9%) had sexual intercourse at least thrice a week, while only 158 (43.9%) of respondents were extremely satisfied with their sexual life. About 175 (48.6%) of the respondents had experienced embarrassment over sexual performance, while a greater proportion of the respondents 239 (66.4%) had used performance-enhancing drugs. Despite this, only 20 (5.6%) of the respondents had ever complained of ED in the hospital. Traditional and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs were the commonest source of performance-enhancing drugs 106 (44.4%).

Conclusion: Erectile dysfunction is a common medical and social problem in our environment. Physicians should routinely ask their patients about their sexual health and erectile dysfunction.