Pattern Of Seminal Fluid Parameters And Their Clinical Correlates Amongst Infertile Men In The Niger-Delta Region Of Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Infertility is a foremost reproductive health problem globally, with sub-Saharan Africa nations most affected. The male contributions to this burden have not been properly documented in this environmentMethods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Central Hospital Benin City, involving 355 male partners of women with infertility. Specific clinical information was extracted and two semen analyses were conducted two weeks apart.Results: The mean duration of infertility was 4.5 years (SD 2.17), and secondary infertility was the commonest (82.3%). Over half (59.7%) were of low socioeconomic status. Over two-thirds (66.5%) had seminal fluid abnormality; and Oligospermia was thecommonest (22.8%). About two-fifth took alcohol regularly (43.9%), had previous history of urethral discharge (39.4%), or of testicular pain (42.8%). About One-fifth had a past history of mumps-orchitis (20.3%), or smoked cigarette (22.3%). Less than a tenth had varicocele (8.8%), or undescended testes (8.5%); while more than one-tenth reported use of Cimetidine (12.4%), herniorrhaphy (14.7%), scrotal surgery (15.8%), or sexual dysfunction (14.6%). There were significantly more participants with sexual dysfunction, herniorrhaphy, scrotal surgery, undescended testes; mumps orchitis; testicular pains; varicocele; history of purulent urethral discharge; tobacco smoking; alcohol consumption; and use of Cimetidine who have abnormal seminal fluid parameters. However on multivariate logistic regression analysis, history of urethral discharge, undescended testes, and Cimetidine use had negativecorrelation with abnormal semen parameters.Conclusion: The prevalence of male factor infertility in our setting was high with significant association between male infertility and wide range of clinical and psychosocial problems.