MALE INFERTILITY: PREVALENCE AND CLINICAL CORRELATES AMONGST COUPLES ATTENDING AN INFERTILITY CLINIC IN CENTRAL HOSPITAL, BENIN CITY, NIGERIA

Abstract

INTRODUCTION
Infertility is defined as the inability of a couple to achieve pregnancy after at least one
year of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse. It may be primary or secondary.
Causes of infertility include female factors such as anovulation, utero-tubal factors,
male factor and unexplained infertility. The importance and impact of infertility lies in
the fact that it is cause of personal distress, social ostrasization and marital
disharmony as a result of high premium on childbearing in most societies, particularly
African societies.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
This study aims to determine the prevalence and clinical correlates of male factor
infertility amongst couples attending infertility clinics at Central Hospital Benin City.
The main objective is to determine the magnitude of male factor contribution to
infertility in Central Hospital Benin City. The specific objectives include the
examination of some clinical associations of male infertility in Central Hospital Benin
City. To determine the association between these clinical correlates and seminal
fluids parameters. To determine the seminal fluid microbiological pattern amongst
infertile males in Central Hospital Benin City. To determine the hormonal pattern
amongst male partners of infertile couples in Central Hospital Benin City.

METHODOLOGY
This is a prospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study. A cross-section of the male
partners of women who present with infertility at the gynecological clinic who
consented to participation in the study were interviewed and physically examined.
Semen analysis was done for all male partners. Hormone profile was determined for
all male partners. Semen culture was done to determine the microbial pattern and
sensitivity pattern.
RESULTS
A total of 355 male partners of infertile couples were evaluated in the study. Among
these, 66.5% had at least one form of seminal fluid abnormality. The pattern of semen
abnormalities were oligozoospermia 22.8%, azoospermia 11%, teratozoospermia
11.5%, asthenozoospermia 7.3%, mixed abnormalities 13.8%. Clinical correlates
examined included Herniorrhaphy, urethral discharge, Varicocele, alcohol intake,
cigarette smoking, scrotal surgery, drug use, sexual dysfunction. There was significant
association between these clinical correlates and male infertility. Various bacterial
organisms were isolated of which Staphylococus aureus 25.3%, Escherichia coli 7.3%
and Klebsiella spp 7.4% were the most common. Majority of the isolated organisms
were sensitive to ofloxacin 54.1% and Augmentin 18.9%. There was statistically
significant endocrinopathy with respect to prolactin, follicle stimulating hormone and
testosterone but not with luteinizing hormone.

CONCLUSION
There is a very high prevalence rate of male factor infertility in our setting. There was
significant association of male infertility with clinical correlates examined. All
Reproductive health programmes should make adequate provisions for male
reproductive health and appropriate interventions should be designed based on the
identified clinical correlates.

MALE INFERTILITY: PREVALENCE AND CLINICAL CORRELATES AMONGST COUPLES ATTENDING AN INFERTILITY CLINIC IN CENTRAL HOSPITAL, BENIN CITY, NIGERIA