Evidence-based assessment of male-only infertility: prevalence and associated risk factors in Port Harcourt metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria

Ibioku Elekima; Aminayanate M. Aworu; Holy Brown; Ngozi Brisibe; Ibitoroko M. George-Opuda; Helen A. Waribo; Adline E. Ben-Chioma; Ebirien-Agana S. Bartimaeus

doi:10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20233690

Authors

Ibioku Elekima Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Aminayanate M. Aworu Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Holy Brown Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Ngozi Brisibe Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Ibitoroko M. George-Opuda Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Helen A. Waribo Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Adline E. Ben-Chioma Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Ebirien-Agana S. Bartimaeus Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20233690

Keywords:

Infertility, Male-only infertility, Risk factor, Infectious organisms, Occupation

Abstract

Background: Male infertility is the condition in which a male is unable to establish pregnancy in a fertile woman over 12 months of unprotected sexual intercourse. In this study, the prevalence of male-factor infertility and some associated risk factors in Port Harcourt, Rivers State was carried out.

Methods: The study design was a case-controlled randomized one, in which semen specimens were collected from case and control groups randomly amongst males visiting urology/fertility clinics by masturbation after 3 days of abstinence. A total of 276 males indicated interest to participate in study of which 193 male subjects were recruited.

Results: The result showed that 20.8% were azoospermic, 27.4% were oligospermic, 23.7% were asthenozoospermic, 27.9% oligoasthenozoospermic, 15.1% teratozoospermic, 19.4% asthenoteratozoospermic, and 12.9% oligoasthenoteratospermic. Furthermore, the microbial quality of the semen assessed indicated the prevalence of scanty, moderate, and heavy growth as 12.5%, 9.3%, and 7.3% respectively. Likewise, organisms isolated and identified were Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and mixed growth of staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli with a prevalence of 18.2%, 5.6%, 2.0%, 1.04%, and 2.6% respectively. Civil servants had the highest prevalence of 20.8% followed by artisans with 11.9%. The prevalence of primary and secondary infertility was observed to be 30.1% and 18.1% respectively.

Conclusions: Male-only factor infertility is on the increase and occupations that are accompanied by prolonged sitting, sedentary work style, or working in or close to high-temperature sources as seen in civil servants and welders (artisans) were observed to be more prone to male-only factor infertility.

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