Erectile dysfunctions (EDs) are common presentations among men on anti-retroviral therapy, many of who had a course to discontinue anti-retroviral drugs or search for alternative treatments.
This study assessed the prevalence and predictors of ED among men on anti-retro viral therapies (ART) in a Nigerian population.
It was a descriptive cross-sectional survey among 234 HIV-positive men on anti-retroviral therapy selected using stratified sampling method after excluding for co-morbidities. Research instrument was semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire, and data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 17. 0 (Chicago IL, USA), while binary logistic regression and Chi-square test were used to demonstrate association between selected categorical variable.
Mean age of respondents was 37. 1 (1. 6) years, 85. 6% have not missed their medications, self-reported adherence was reported as good among 213 [(90. 8%) 213/234], though calculated adherence was 90% among as many as 201 [(85. 6%) 201/234]. Pattern of EDs revealed weak erection among 42 [(37. 8%) 42/111], 15 [(13. 5%) 15/111] said they could no longer achieve erection, 33 [(29. 7%) 33/111] said they could not maintain erections, while 27 [(24. 3%) 27/111] presented with loss of libido. Delayed and premature ejaculations were reported among 24 [(21. 6%) 24/111] and 8 [(7. 2%) 8/111] respectively. About 14% (33/234) of respondents said that anti-retroviral drugs could have caused their ED while 78% (183/234) said it should not. A statistically significant association exists between having weak erections and age above 65 years and calculated the adherence <95%, while none exists between having weak erections and missing pills.
Anti-retroviral drugs are common causes of EDs. Concerns of clients should always be addressed most especially issues that may compromise adherence.
Annals of medical and health sciences research. 0000 [Epub]
W O Adebimpe, O Omobuwa, O A Adeoye
Department of Community Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria. , Department of Community Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria. , Department of Community Medicine, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria.