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

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.

CONTEXTE: La dysfonction érectile (DE) est généralement sousestimée dans de nombreux pays en développement, le Nigeria inclus. INTRODUCTION: La DE est associée à la stigmatisation et à un comportement médiocre en matière de recherche de soins de santé et est supposée ne pas mettre la vie en danger. Cette étude a été entreprise pour déterminer la prévalence de la DE et son profil chez les hommes adultes. MÉTHODES: L'étude était une enquête transversale en milieu hospitalier auprès de 360 hommes sexuellement actifs âgés de 18 ans et plus, vus dans la GOPC du Centre médical fédéral de Bida. La DE auto-déclarée a été obtenue à l'aide d'un questionnaire structuré administré par un enquêteur. La prévalence et la gravité de la DE ont été obtenues à l'aide du questionnaire International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5). RÉSULTATS: La tranche d'âge des répondants était de 22 à 75 ans, avec un âge moyen de 42,06 (11,350) ans. La prévalence de la DE était de 56,4 %, avec 29,4 % présentant une DE légère, 24,2 % une DE légère à modérée et 2,8 % une DE modérée. La prévalence de la DE a été notée pour augmenter avec l'âge croissant, car la DE était plus fréquente (100 %) chez les hommes âgés de 70 à 79 ans et moins courante chez les sujets plus jeunes (20-29 ans) (30,9 %). La plupart des répondants, 198 (54,9 %), avaient des rapports sexuels au moins trois fois par semaine, tandis que seuls 158 (43,9 %) étaient extrêmement satisfaits de leur vie sexuelle. Environ 175 (48,6 %) avaient ressenti de l'embarras quant à leur performance sexuelle, et une proportion plus importante des répondants, 239 (66,4 %), avaient utilisé des médicaments améliorant les performances. Malgré cela, seulement 20 (5,6 %) s'étaient déjà plaints de la DE à l'hôpital. Les médicaments traditionnels et en vente libre étaient la source la plus courante de médicaments améliorant les performances, avec 106 (44,4 %). CONCLUSION: La dysfonction érectile est un problème médical et social courant dans notre environnement. Les médecins devraient régulièrement interroger leurs patients sur leur santé sexuelle et la dysfonction érectile. MOTS-CLÉS: Dysfonction érectile, Homme, Profil, Prévalence.

General practitioner reported follow-up visits among asthma patients in North Central Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Despite the benefits of regular follow-up in the long-term care of asthma, no previous study has reported on it among asthma patients in Nigeria. OBJECTIVE: This survey was designed to evaluate GP-reported follow-up visits among asthma patients in North Central Nigeria. METHODS: It was a cross-sectional survey conducted among GPs in three North Central states of Nigeria. RESULTS: Overall, 48.3% of the GPs reported that their patients usually come for follow-up visits. About 63.6%, 40.0%, and 55.3% of the GPs in Kwara, Kogi, and Niger states, respectively, reported that their patients came for follow-up visits in the month prior to this study. Less than two-third of GPs in both private (55.1%) and public (56.8%) hospitals reportedly attended to patients on follow-up visits. About 46.5%, 37.5%, and 52.0% of the GPs who attended to patients <1 week, 1-2 weeks and >2 weeks prior to the study reported that their patients came for follow-up visits. There was significant difference (P = 0.04) in the reported follow-up visits by GPs who attended to ≥10 asthma patients compared to others. None of the nine GPs who reportedly treated ≥ 10 patients in the preceding month of the study attended to any patient on follow-up visits. CONCLUSION: The GP-reported rates of follow-up visits in patients that are accessing asthma care from GPs practicing in the North Central part of Nigeria are low. Further studies to identify barriers to follow-up visits and how to correct them are therefore recommended.